Health units want summer camps to proactively monitor for measles

Waterloo Region Public Health urges parents to take proper precautions before sending their kids to camp. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains.

Huron Perth Public Health is urging summer day camps and programs to take precautions to prevent the spread of measles, while the Region of Waterloo is taking it one step further.

If an infection is reported at a camp in Waterloo Region, the health unit said any “children or staff who are not fully protected with two documented doses” of the measles vaccine will be sent home. The also won’t be allowed to return for at least 21 days after any potential exposure, unless they provide proof of vaccination against the virus.

“This isn’t new messaging,” explained David Aoki, the region’s infectious disease director and chief nursing officer. “What this really is is a continuation of messaging that we’ve done since the start of the provincial outbreak and with our local partners, including schools.”

He added the public health unit will be working with summer camps to ensure children are safe and healthy, and programming is not interrupted.

“The reason we got the messaging out now is to prepare people so that they can get their vaccines ahead of time,” said Aoki. “So that, if we do find out there’s an exposure, we can quickly find out who is at risk and who isn’t and keep that camp running.”

If there is a positive case at camp, public health would step in.

“We would set up a [vaccination] clinic as soon as possible for any campers that need it,” Aoki said. “Obviously, if their parents consented, they would be able to get that vaccine in a short period to allow the camp to continue.”

The latest epidemiological summary from Public Health Ontario, updated on June 19, showed 110 measles infections were reported by Region of Waterloo Public Health between Oct. 18, 2024 and June 17, 2025. Over the last week, the total number of cases appeared to increase by 21.

Not all of them, however, were new. Officials said 20 were previously logged in May but, using new criteria, were now linked to the ongoing outbreak.

“We knew about these cases,” Aoki confirmed. “So, while it looks like a large jump for this week, we’ve actually had not a large jump.”

He said only one new case had been reported since June 10.

While the number of new measles infections is down, Aoki said it was too soon to tell if Waterloo Region had seen the worst of the outbreak.

“We’re optimistic that it’s starting to trend down, but I think it’s too early to say, ‘Oh, it’s definitely peaked, or we’re now plateaued’,” he explained. “Certainly, it’s trending in the right direction right now.”

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Perth Public Health, meanwhile, only asked that camp providers prioritize the identification of measles symptoms, follow proper protocols and communicate with parents about the importance of measles. They also stressed “understanding reporting requirements and procedures for managing cases and contacts.”

“Vaccination is important for camp participants as it is the best way to prevent the infection,” Dr. Miriam Klassen, the medical officer of health for Huron Perth, said in a media release. “In addition, camp and program organizers must be prepared to respond effectively to potential measles cases to protect the community’s health.”

The latest epidemiological summary from Public Health Ontario showed 249 measles infections reported by Huron Perth Public Health between Oct. 18 and June 17, an increase of 14 in the last week. As with the Region of Waterloo, the data may not line up with the local health unit’s case counts due to reporting delays and changing classification.

What to know about measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness.

Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.

It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.