Halton health officials have announced that recent visitors to a health centre in Burlington, Ont., and a clinic in Milton, Ont., may have come into contact with measles.
In Burlington, possible exposure happened at the Halton Family Health Centre located at 2951 Walkers Line on April 26 between 9 a. m. and 12:30 p. m.
The potential exposures in Milton took place at Halton Medic Clinic Milton at 100 Bronte St. S. on April 27 between 9:30 a. m. and 1 p. m., according to Halton Region Public Health’s announcement on Thursday.
Health officials advised anyone who visited these locations to verify their measles vaccinations are up-to-date. Two doses are recommended for individuals born since 1970.
WATCH | Measles cases surge in Ontario, Alberta:
Measles cases surge in Ontario, Alberta
The number of measles cases is increasing across Canada, mainly due to rising numbers in Ontario and Alberta. This situation has led to frustration among healthcare professionals who believe more efforts are needed to address misinformation surrounding the disease and vaccinations.
Individuals lacking immunity against measles-including babies, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems-can become “very ill” from this “highly contagious” airborne virus, according to health officials. They should reach out to a healthcare provider or public health for evaluation.
Symptoms of measles can develop within one to three weeks and typically include fever, cough, runny nose, small white spots inside the mouth, followed by a rash that spreads downward from the face.
If you suspect you have symptoms and need medical attention, please call ahead so precautions can be taken, advised Halton public health.
“Vaccination remains the best protection, and we urge all residents, especially families with young children, to ensure their immunizations are current,” Dr. Deepika Lobo, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region stated.
However, Halton health officials informed that fewer than a quarter of seven-year-olds in the region are currently vaccinated against measles. While this number might be higher due to underreporting of vaccinations, they do not have exact figures.
This week alone, Ontario reported an alarming 233 new measles infections-the highest weekly rise since October when an outbreak began.
Data released by Public Health Ontario on May 1 indicates that since October there have been 1,243 reported cases of illness from the virus in the province; among these cases were 84 hospitalizations-63 being children-and eight were admitted into intensive care units.
At Queen’s Park on Thursday, opposition leaders urged the province for more action.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones remarked that Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has been “working incredibly hard” alongside local public health units to tackle this outbreak.
Epidemiologist says rise in cases is ‘jarring’
Dr. Sarah Wilson from Public Health Ontario expressed her concern about the infection rates stating it’s “jarring” after seeing weeks where case numbers hovered around one hundred; she emphasized it will be crucial to monitor what happens next.
She attributed this spike primarily due to “very significant” transmission occurring in areas where vaccination rates are lower-mainly affecting infants as well as kids and teenagers.
Southwestern Public Health’s Dr. Ninh Tran explained that this “sharp rise” stems from exposures within large unvaccinated households among family members as well as gatherings of unvaccinated individuals rather than specific events or groups.
Dr. Iris Gorfinkel-a Toronto family doctor-suggested measures like launching major public health campaigns aimed at teaching parents how to recognize symptoms of measles while tracking vaccination rates could help identify areas needing attention.![]()
A dose of the measles mumps rubella vaccine awaits administration during a vaccine clinic held at Southwestern Public Health located in St Thomas Ont., dated March 4th (Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press)
Public Health Ontario noted historically measles was rare within Ontario “due largely due successful elimination efforts combined high immunization coverage.” Their report dated May first indicated that globally there’s been an uptick regarding active cases since early two thousand twenty-four which led directly into increased occurrences here too.
The current outbreak has been connected back travel links between provinces including New Brunswick along with others.
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Measles cases surge in Ontario, Alberta
The number of measles cases is increasing across Canada, mainly due to rising numbers in Ontario and Alberta. This situation has led to frustration among healthcare professionals who believe more efforts are needed to address misinformation surrounding the disease and vaccinations.
Individuals lacking immunity against measles-including babies, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems-can become “very ill” from this “highly contagious” airborne virus, according to health officials. They should reach out to a healthcare provider or public health for evaluation.
Symptoms of measles can develop within one to three weeks and typically include fever, cough, runny nose, small white spots inside the mouth, followed by a rash that spreads downward from the face.
If you suspect you have symptoms and need medical attention, please call ahead so precautions can be taken, advised Halton public health.
“Vaccination remains the best protection, and we urge all residents, especially families with young children, to ensure their immunizations are current,” Dr. Deepika Lobo, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region stated.
However, Halton health officials informed that fewer than a quarter of seven-year-olds in the region are currently vaccinated against measles. While this number might be higher due to underreporting of vaccinations, they do not have exact figures.
This week alone, Ontario reported an alarming 233 new measles infections-the highest weekly rise since October when an outbreak began.
Data released by Public Health Ontario on May 1 indicates that since October there have been 1,243 reported cases of illness from the virus in the province; among these cases were 84 hospitalizations-63 being children-and eight were admitted into intensive care units.
At Queen’s Park on Thursday, opposition leaders urged the province for more action.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones remarked that Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has been “working incredibly hard” alongside local public health units to tackle this outbreak.
Epidemiologist says rise in cases is ‘jarring’
Dr. Sarah Wilson from Public Health Ontario expressed her concern about the infection rates stating it’s “jarring” after seeing weeks where case numbers hovered around one hundred; she emphasized it will be crucial to monitor what happens next.She attributed this spike primarily due to “very significant” transmission occurring in areas where vaccination rates are lower-mainly affecting infants as well as kids and teenagers.
Southwestern Public Health’s Dr. Ninh Tran explained that this “sharp rise” stems from exposures within large unvaccinated households among family members as well as gatherings of unvaccinated individuals rather than specific events or groups.
Dr. Iris Gorfinkel-a Toronto family doctor-suggested measures like launching major public health campaigns aimed at teaching parents how to recognize symptoms of measles while tracking vaccination rates could help identify areas needing attention.
Public Health Ontario noted historically measles was rare within Ontario “due largely due successful elimination efforts combined high immunization coverage.” Their report dated May first indicated that globally there’s been an uptick regarding active cases since early two thousand twenty-four which led directly into increased occurrences here too.
The current outbreak has been connected back travel links between provinces including New Brunswick along with others.
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