‘Cases are circulating’: Health units provide update on measles outbreak

The region has one of the highest concentration of measles in the country, and the case numbers continue to grow.

Two area health units provided an update on a measles outbreak in the region on Thursday afternoon.

It’s an area that has one of the highest concentration of measles in the country, and the case numbers continue to grow.

“Cases are circulating across our regions,” said Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health Dr. Ninh Tran during an update on the measles outbreak. “There are many cases that have not been reported to us.”

The early afternoon briefing was jointly held by Southwestern Public Health and Grand Erie Public Health.

The two agencies cover a cluster of counties southeast of London, where an outbreak was declared at the end of January.

It includes Elgin, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldimand, and Brant Counties, along with the cities of St. Thomas and Brantford.

Both health units have stepped up contact tracing and have started offering vaccine clinics for infants from six to eleven months.

Southwestern Public Health is up to 136 cases since the end of October, most in children.

Tran said the spread is more extensive than those numbers indicate, “There are many cases that have not been reported to us. You could be exposed to measles at any time during the outbreak that we are experiencing.”

He continued, “Cases in both of our regions are predominantly affecting individuals, mostly children, who are not up to date with their vaccinations.”

Meanwhile, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has issued another community notice about a possible measles exposure.

Between the hours of 10:43 p.m. on Feb. 28, and 1:10 a.m. on Mar. 1, patients in the Adult Emergency Department at Victoria Hospital may have been exposed to a case of measles.

It’s the second notice issued by MLHU this week, with another notice issued on Tuesday. Several other local health units have issued notices in recent weeks as well.

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) issued a statement on Thursday afternoon, noting that Huron and Perth are now areas of concern for measles, with six lab-confirmed cases present in the region. Health officials say that all cases in Huron Perth were connected to the ongoing outbreak at Southwestern Public Health and Grand Erie Public Health.

Although in Ontario measles has been rare, due to an uptick in the rate of measles across the globe, Ontario has seen more cases of measles in recent years. Ontario is currently in the midst of a measles outbreak - with a total of 119 cases, and 23 probable cases reported from Jan. 1, to Feb. 26.

Tran again stressed the proven safety and proven effectiveness of the measles vaccine, encouraging anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to do so.

Tran said measles is highly contagious, noting people are most contagious four days before a rash appears and four days after it disappears.

Symptoms prior to the rash will resemble a common cold or flu. Tran is encouraging people not to go into public settings if they have those symptoms.

Anyone that was exposed should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red and irritated eyes, small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth, and a red blotchy rash.

If you suspect that you may have measles, it is asked that you self isolate in your home to avoid spreading it to others.

If you require medical attention, make your healthcare provider aware that you may have measles prior to visiting so that they can have appropriate precautions in place.