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Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario saw biggest spike in measles cases at this popular vacation hot spot
Ontario saw 32 new measles cases during the past week, including 19 in Huron Perth, an area known for its blue flag beaches and vibrant cultural scene . The popular vacation area, which includes Stratford, Goderich and Clinton, saw the biggest jump in new measles cases in the past week. Algoma Public Health had the second-largest rise in new cases with eight. The latest update from Public Health Ontario noted the province has reported 2,276 measles cases (1,961 confirmed, 315 probable) since last fall, as of July 15. All cases are connected to a multi-jurisdictional, travel-related outbreak first reported in New Brunswick on Oct. 18. Among all outbreak cases, the majority — 73.3 per cent or 1,669 — occurred among infants, children and adolescents 19 or younger; while 26.1 per cent were adults and 0.6 per cent had an unknown age. Almost all infant, child and adolescent outbreak cases (96.3 per cent) were unimmunized and 68.5 per cent of infected adults were unimmunized. In 2025, 2,278 measles cases (1,989 confirmed, 289 probable) have been reported in Ontario as of July 15. All but 39 cases were linked with the multi-jurisdictional outbreak in New Brunswick. There were 150 people hospitalized, 141 of whom were not immunized, including 108 children. Twelve people were admitted to the intensive care unit. One person, an infant with a congenital case of measles and other underlying medical conditions, has died. There have been 47 outbreak cases among pregnant people and eight cases of congenital measles (measles diagnosed within the first 10 days of life). Public Health Ontario released the information in its enhanced epidemiological summary, which includes information up to July 15 at 7 a.m. The Ontario summary includes the total number of outbreak-related cases since Oct. 18, 2024, reported by each public health unit. Ontarians can check the Public Health Ontario website to see potential exposure locations, including the time and date of possible exposure. U.S.-based National Foundation for Infectious Diseases said measles is the most contagious virus known to humans. Each infected person can potentially infect 18 people, each of whom can go on to infect another 18 people. It estimates 90 per cent of unvaccinated people who are exposed will get measles. Measles is a contagious viral illness, spread through airborne particles. Initial symptoms include fever, red runny eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body, said the Public Health Agency of Canada. Diarrhea, pneumonia and ear infections are also common. Measles can lead to swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness or death. Diagnosing measles is done through a nasal swab, blood or urine test. Most people with measles recover at home within two to three weeks by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. There are no specific antiviral treatments for a measles infection, but people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. If you think you may have measles, do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first, Health Canada said. Ensure the facility knows you might have measles, so they can take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread to others as soon as you arrive. If you want to inquire about a measles vaccination, consult with a health-care provider or your local health unit. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Public health issues measles alert for northern Ont. dollar store
Northern Ontario Watch Algoma Public Health warns anyone who shopped at The Great Canadian Dollar Store in Thessalon between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on June 26 may have been exposed to measles. The region has recorded 22 new cases from June 17-24, bringing the total to 137 since April. Health officials urge vigilance for symptoms.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New measles cases decline in Ontario as school year ends, but officials turn attention to summer camps
Warning signage for suspected cases of measles is seen outside the main entrance of Woodstock General Hospital in Woodstock, Ont., Thursday, May 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne TORONTO — New measles cases have decreased in Ontario over the past week as health officials report 33 additional infections. That's compared to 96 new cases in the province the previous week, and 74 on June 12. The data released today brings the total number of infections in Ontario to 2,212 since an outbreak began in October. And as the school year comes to a close, health officials are turning their attention to preventing the highly contagious disease from hitting summer camps. Ontario's health minister said on Monday that the province's top doctor had a 'fulsome meeting' with the Ontario Camps Association in mid-May to go over procedures and protocols in case of an outbreak. The ministry said in a statement Thursday that if there is a case at a camp, the local public health unit would identify susceptible contacts, such as unvaccinated campers and staff, and require them to isolate for 21 days. A Southwestern Public Health guidance document recommends that both campers and staff have two doses of the measles vaccine. However, the public health unit said each camp can make their own operational decisions. Meanwhile, most of the new cases are concentrated in a northern Ontario region for the fourth week in a row. Algoma Public Health, which includes Sault Ste. Marie., is reporting 22 new cases. By comparison, one new case was recorded in Southwestern Public Health, which for months was the epicentre of the outbreak. And while the number of new cases in Ontario have dropped, they are going up in Alberta, which recorded 82 new infections over the past week. That brings the province's total to 1,078 since outbreaks in the province began in March, according to the latest data Wednesday. Most measles cases in both provinces have been among unvaccinated kids, including 107 infants, children and teenagers hospitalized in Ontario. One Ontario infant born prematurely and infected in utero has died. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario reports another 96 outbreak-related measles cases over a week
Nearly 100 people became sick with measles in Ontario over the past week, with a large chunk of them being from the Algoma area. Public Health Ontario's latest measles update, released June 19, shows 96 new cases were reported during the past week — all connected to a multi-jurisdictional, travel-related outbreak first reported in New Brunswick on Oct. 18. This brings Ontario's outbreak-related total since Oct. 18 to 2,179 (1,871 confirmed, 308 probable) cases. Thirty-four of those new cases were reported by Algoma Public Health. Public Health Ontario released the information in its enhanced epidemiological summary, which includes information up to June 17 at 7 a.m. A week earlier, the province reported 74 new cases. Thus far in 2025, there have been 2,188 measles cases (1,906 confirmed, 282 probable) reported in Ontario, 46 of which were not linked to the multi-jurisdictional outbreak and are not included in the outbreak numbers. The latest summary shows among all outbreak cases, 73.8 per cent were infants, children and adolescents and 25.6 per cent were adults — the rest of the patients have an unknown age. Among the infants, children and adolescents, 96.3 per cent were unimmunized, while 67.6 per cent of the adult cases were among people who were not immunized. There were 149 people hospitalized, 136 of whom were not immunized, including 107 children. Eleven people were admitted to the intensive care unit. One person, an infant with a congenital case of measles and other underlying medical conditions, has died. There have been 44 outbreak cases among pregnant people and seven cases of congenital measles (measles diagnosed within the first 10 days of life). The Ontario summary includes the total number of outbreak-related cases since Oct. 18 reported by each public health unit. The case count and the number of new cases this week, as of June 10, was as follows. Ontarians can check the Public Health Ontario website to see potential exposure locations, including the time and date of possible exposure. U.S.-based National Foundation for Infectious Diseases said measles is the most contagious virus known to humans: Each infected person can potentially infect 18 people, each of whom can go on to infect another 18 people. It added, 90 per cent of unvaccinated people who are exposed will get measles. Measles is a contagious viral illness, spread through airborne particles. Initial symptoms include fever, red runny eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body, said the Public Health Agency of Canada. Diarrhea, pneumonia and ear infections are also common. Measles can lead to swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness or death. Diagnosing measles is done through a nasal swab, blood or urine test. Most people with measles recover at home within two to three weeks by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. There are no specific antiviral treatments for a measles infection, but people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. If you think you may have measles, do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first, Health Canada said. Ensure the facility knows you might have measles, so they can take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread to others as soon as you arrive. If you want to inquire about a measles vaccination, consult with a health-care provider or your local health unit. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Health unit warns of new measles exposure
Northern Ontario Watch Algoma Public Health has released the places and times where residents could have been exposed to the measles in recent days.
