The measles outbreak is spreading in Elgin and Oxford counties, with Southwestern Public Health reporting an increase of 65 cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 451 cases since Oct. 30. Dr. Ninh Tran, the medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, stated that the rise in cases is mainly linked to each other within a group they are currently investigating. This highlights the rapid spread of measles in settings with unvaccinated individuals, such as large households or gatherings.
The outbreak, which has been ongoing, has resulted in 35 hospitalizations in the region and a total of 84 hospitalizations across the province. Symptoms that may lead to hospitalization include dehydration, fever requiring control, or secondary infections like pneumonia. The average hospital stay in local facilities has been around three days, with durations ranging from one to 11 days.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus, and its primary symptoms include a cough, red watery eyes, fever, and a blotchy rash. Public Health Ontario advises individuals exposed to the virus to monitor for respiratory, gastrointestinal, or conjunctivitis symptoms and to stay home if any symptoms develop to prevent further exposure to others. Rashes typically appear as one of the last symptoms after exposure.
The measles outbreak, which originated from a Mennonite wedding in New Brunswick, has become the largest outbreak in Canada in over a decade. Dr. Tran emphasized that the risk of measles persists in the community, particularly affecting unvaccinated and school-aged children. It is crucial for individuals to receive vaccinations, as most cases are among those who are not up to date on their immunizations.