Ontario issues warning over rise in measles cases

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Over the Family Day weekend the number of known measles cases in Southern Ontario has doubled, as officials took the urgent step of publicly warning hundreds of members of a Christian youth gathering in Toronto to be vigilant.
Robin Williams Ontario’s Acting Chief Medical Officer said, “We are up to 16 cases now.” She also said they are now nine active cases in Toronto, one in each of the city’s York and Halton suburbs and another five in Niagara Falls.
Previous measles scares in the province were as a result of isolated cases of unvaccinated travellers who went abroad. The difference now is that the on-going scare is part of a wider North American phenomenon, which makes it difficult for the doctors to track the virus as it moves around.
With reference to the Ontario cases Dr Williams said, “as far as we know, other than the cluster in Niagara, these are not linked.” Four of the five Niagara Falls cases came were discovered over the weekend. These infections appear to have started to spread the weekend before last.
Dr Williams added, “It was such a large event and went on for most of two days. It was felt that it was more extensive exposure than riding on a subway, going to a mall or being at a hockey game. If you are unvaccinated and attending this event please contact your local health department,” she said. “If you develop any signs or symptoms, contact your health-care provider before turning up in their waiting room with measles.”
Public-health officials pointed out that the measles vaccine is extremely routine in Ontario and extremely effective. Unvaccinated people who are mostly at risk include children, pregnant women. People with immunity disorders are strongly urged to get vaccinated.