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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Canada's former measles hot spot ends weekly reports, says outbreak not over
Published Jul 22, 2025 • 2 minute read Measles. Local health officials are ending weekly measles reports for a southern Ontario hot spot that had led the country in infections. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Southwestern Public Health announced the change Tuesday, adding that doesn't mean the outbreak is over. It encouraged residents to check for weekly updates on the region from Public Health Ontario, which are released Thursdays. The local health unit began posting weekly reports online in April when communities including St. Thomas, Elgin and Oxford counties accounted for 45% of cases in the province and the most measles infections in Canada. But in its last update Thursday, the public health unit reported just one new case for the third week in a row. Public health experts have expressed cautious optimism about Ontario's overall slowing counts with 32 new cases reported last week. Read More Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, the medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health says the risk of measles persists, especially for those who are not vaccinated. 'Please continue to be vigilant in preventing measles and protecting yourselves and loved ones through vaccination,' Dr. Ninh Tran said Tuesday in a statement. Public Health Ontario releases weekly reports on measles cases, which are compiled from public health unit data. But as the outbreak surged, the southwestern public health unit also released its own data publicly, with a more localized break down, such as hospitalizations and immunization status of infected individuals within the area. Carolyn Richards, who oversees epidemiologists and public health planners at Southwestern Public Health, said that was done to meet increasing public interest as cases rose. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We had a lot of people on our website and our social media, so we wanted to put out our data in the same place that people were looking for other information,' she said. Richards said her team felt comfortable ending those reports now that spread has slowed, but they could return if cases surge again. 'We don't know that it couldn't increase again. We just know that the cases are low at this time and that it could be possible that's related to summer holidays, kids aren't in school,' Richards said. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Ontario had recorded 2,276 measles cases as of last week. While its case count is still the country's highest, attention has lately turned to Alberta. Alberta reported 47 new cases over the weekend, bringing its total cases since March to 1,454 as of Monday. The province's former chief medical officers of health Dr. Mark Joffe said July 9 that Alberta had twice the rate of confirmed cases than the more populous Ontario. The province of Alberta updates its measles count on weekdays and breaks down the number of cases in each zone, with its south zone accounting for more than half of the cases. Canada Columnists Celebrity Olympics Entertainment
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Canada's former measles hot spot ends weekly reports, but says outbreak is not over
A sign outside Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 warns residents to call ahead before visiting a doctor or hospital if they think they have the measles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hamilton public health warns of possible measles exposures at Costco and Service Ontario
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins Public Health officials in Hamilton are warning the public about two confirmed cases of measles in the city, which may have resulted in some people being exposed to the virus without their knowledge. The cases are reported as being from the same household and travel related, As of July 8, Ontario has reported 2,244 cases of measles but a significant portion of those cases are clustered in southwestern Ontario. With these two new cases, Hamilton has reported four cases this year. Hamilton health services are advising that the public may have been exposed to the virus at the following locations: Service Ontario (50 Dundurn St S, Unit 10, Hamilton, ON L8P 4W3) July 7, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Costco - Ancaster (100 Legend Ct, Hamilton, ON L9K 1J3) July 7, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Upper Gage Clinic and Gage Pharmacy (1050 Upper Gage Ave, Unit 3, Hamilton, ON L8V 0A3) July 9, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ellen Fairclough Building - Service Ontario, main lobby, elevators, 4th floor (119 King St West, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y7) July 9, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hamilton health officials are warning the public to watch for symptoms, including a high fever, red blotchy rashes, small white spots with white centres (Koplik's spots) inside the mouth and throat.
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
West Nile Virus found by Southwestern Public Health
A mosquito trap in Woodstock has tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to Southwestern Public Health, this is the first mosquito trap to produce a positive test in the Southwestern Public Health region in 2025, and the virus was detected as part of routine testing. The health unit said traps are set up across Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas to monitor and test for the presence of West Nile Virus in the region. Public health recommends removing standing water around your property to reduce mosquito breeding environments.
CTV News
12-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Boil Water Advisory closes St. Thomas splash pad and businesses
A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is in effect for some residents and businesses in St. Thomas. Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) issued the notice Friday for some people using the Water Distribution System in the east and southeast ends of the city due to bacterial contamination. Impacted areas include: East Avenue, Chester Street, West Avenue, Devonshire Place, Balflour Street, Ada Street, Parkside Drive, Bell Drive, Henry Street, Glenbanner Street, Willow Street, Wilson Avenue (from #2 to #193), Bush Line (40359), Elm Street (from #25 to #80), Palm Street (from #4 to #17), Sunset Drive (from #126 to #188), and Pinafore Park. The timing couldn't be worse during what is expected to be a scorching hot weekend. The City of St. Thomas indicates the splash pad, as well as the water bottle fill stations and washrooms, at Pinafore Park is closed until the BWA is lifted. Due to the BWA, Movie Night in the Park was canceled Friday and will be rescheduled. It is put on by The Ice Box, who also closed their ice cream shop location in the park temporarily. 'Hey guys, an unfortunate update from us,' The Ice Box wrote on Facebook. 'The Southwestern Public Health unit has sent out an advisory for boil water within Pinafore Park. Unfortunately, this means we must close our Pinafore location starting immediately until further notice. We value the quality and sanitation of our products, and with this current environment we will be unable to provide that. We hope you understand.' The Tim Horton's location at 60 Elm St. is also shut down until the BWA is lifted. ST THOMAS BOIL WATER Tim Horton's location at 60 Elm St. on July 12, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'All of our other Tim's locations in St. Thomas are open regular business hours and are happy to serve you,' wrote owner Tanya Circelli. In a news release from SWPH, they issued this advice, 'The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ninh Tran, is advising that users of City of St. Thomas Water Distribution System in the locations listed above bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to using it for domestic purposes e.g. drinking, making infant formula and juice, brushing teeth, washing raw foods, and making ice.' Mayor Joe Preston tells CTV News this is the second time during his tenure as mayor there as been a BWA. The first one was due to a water connection issue. He said it will take two tests, 24 hours apart to get the BWA removed.
