Ontario measles cases reach 2,276 as spread begins to wane
As the spread of measles slows in Ontario, health officials confirm there have been four cases in Ottawa — two of them related to what has been the largest outbreak in North America.
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In its most recent weekly update, Public Health Ontario reported 32 new cases of measles over the past week, bringing the total measles cases in a massive multi-jurisdictional outbreak to 2,276. Some of those new cases were previously reported as having an unknown source of exposure but are now linked to the large outbreak.
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The outbreak has been traced back to a Mennonite gathering in New Brunswick last fall, although the majority of cases have occurred in Ontario, primarily southwestern Ontario. Most of the spread has occurred since the beginning of the year.
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Ontario has also seen measles cases that are unrelated to the outbreak, including two confirmed in Ottawa last spring that were presumed to be related to international travel. Two other Ottawa cases have been linked to the massive outbreak in the province.
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At the height of the outbreak in mid- to late-April, there were more than 200 new measles cases being reported weekly in Ontario.
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Measles was considered eliminated in Canada in the late 1990s due to high vaccination rates. This year's outbreaks, including a large outbreak that is continuing to spread in Alberta, are threatening Canada's elimination status.
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There has been no general spread of measles in Ottawa beyond the four identified cases. Although real-time data is difficult to come by, health officials believe that reflects continuing high vaccination rates in the city.
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Public health officials in Ottawa have conducted painstaking surveillance on two cohorts of children and teens this year — those who are seven and 17 — using school immunization records. About 3,000 students were suspended because of out-of-date vaccination records.
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By far, the majority of measles cases have been in southwestern Ontario, with a large and growing case count in the Algoma region as well.
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Most of the infections have involved children or youth. The vast majority were not immunized.
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There has been one death associated with the outbreak — of a premature infant who contracted measles in the womb. An additional eight infants were born with congenital measles. Measles landed 161 people in hospital and 12 in intensive care.
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Symptoms of measles include fever, a red, blotchy rash, red watery eyes and a cough.
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Two doses of measles-containing vaccine is considered safe and highly effective in preventing measles. Adults born in or after 1970 who may have only had one dose are encouraged to get a second dose, especially if they are travelling. Measles cases have been increasing globally.
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Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Ontario measles cases reach 2,276 as spread begins to wane
Article content As the spread of measles slows in Ontario, health officials confirm there have been four cases in Ottawa — two of them related to what has been the largest outbreak in North America. Article content In its most recent weekly update, Public Health Ontario reported 32 new cases of measles over the past week, bringing the total measles cases in a massive multi-jurisdictional outbreak to 2,276. Some of those new cases were previously reported as having an unknown source of exposure but are now linked to the large outbreak. Article content Article content Article content The outbreak has been traced back to a Mennonite gathering in New Brunswick last fall, although the majority of cases have occurred in Ontario, primarily southwestern Ontario. Most of the spread has occurred since the beginning of the year. Article content Article content Ontario has also seen measles cases that are unrelated to the outbreak, including two confirmed in Ottawa last spring that were presumed to be related to international travel. Two other Ottawa cases have been linked to the massive outbreak in the province. Article content At the height of the outbreak in mid- to late-April, there were more than 200 new measles cases being reported weekly in Ontario. Article content Measles was considered eliminated in Canada in the late 1990s due to high vaccination rates. This year's outbreaks, including a large outbreak that is continuing to spread in Alberta, are threatening Canada's elimination status. Article content Article content There has been no general spread of measles in Ottawa beyond the four identified cases. Although real-time data is difficult to come by, health officials believe that reflects continuing high vaccination rates in the city. Article content Article content Public health officials in Ottawa have conducted painstaking surveillance on two cohorts of children and teens this year — those who are seven and 17 — using school immunization records. About 3,000 students were suspended because of out-of-date vaccination records. Article content By far, the majority of measles cases have been in southwestern Ontario, with a large and growing case count in the Algoma region as well. Article content Most of the infections have involved children or youth. The vast majority were not immunized. Article content There has been one death associated with the outbreak — of a premature infant who contracted measles in the womb. An additional eight infants were born with congenital measles. Measles landed 161 people in hospital and 12 in intensive care. Article content Symptoms of measles include fever, a red, blotchy rash, red watery eyes and a cough. Article content Two doses of measles-containing vaccine is considered safe and highly effective in preventing measles. Adults born in or after 1970 who may have only had one dose are encouraged to get a second dose, especially if they are travelling. Measles cases have been increasing globally.
CBC
4 days ago
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Measles cases rise in popular Ontario travel hot spot
Social Sharing Most new measles cases in Ontario over the past week were reported in a popular summer travel area. Public Health Ontario is reporting 32 new measles cases, 19 of which are in Huron Perth. The public health unit located west of Kitchener includes Stratford, known for its annual theatre festival, as well as Lake Huron beach spots including Clinton and Goderich. That brings Ontario's total case count to 2,276 since an outbreak began last fall. Public health experts have encouraged cautious optimism on Ontario's slowing case counts given the ebb and flow of the highly contagious infectious disease. Alberta is also battling an outbreak, reaching 1,340 total cases since the outbreak there began in March. It surpassed the United States' case count earlier this week. Also this week, New Brunswick declared a measles outbreak and has reported five confirmed cases in the south-central region of the province.
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Dead crow found in Guelph tests positive for West Nile virus
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