North Bay-Parry Sound Health Unit reporting 11 cases of measles

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The North Bay-Parry Sound Health Unit is monitoring 11 cases of measles, all originating from the original case reported on March 7.
Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, the acting medical officer of health, says she's not surprised to see an increase in cases.
"Given that we are seeing the outbreak in Ontario and that we have seen decreasing measles immunization rates, I don't think this is surprising, however, it is concerning," Zimbalatti said.
"Measles can be a very contagious and very serious infection, especially in young children and those who are pregnant."
Zimbalatti said the health unit isn't expecting the 11 local measles cases to generate more infections within their district, as all known contacts have been addressed. She said the measles cases originated from someone who traveled to southwestern Ontario.
Ontario's chief medical officer of health has linked the southwestern Ontario outbreak to a large Mennonite gathering in New Brunswick last fall.
While Zimbalatti confirmed Ontario's larger outbreak is related to this event, she said she couldn't discuss any connection to the local cases due to the small population involved.
She added that there have not been hospitalizations or admission to the intensive care unit related to the outbreak in North Bay-Parry Sound.
"There is no evidence that those cases or their contacts are leading to increased risk to the population," Zimbalatti said.
Unlike other health units that have published detailed exposure locations such as specific restaurants and stores, North Bay-Parry Sound public health has not released such information.
"There haven't been any public exposure sites that have been identified. If we did identify exposures where the general public would be at risk, we would have been posting that information," she said, adding infected individuals are following isolation protocols and not visiting public spaces.
Zimbalatti said individuals with suspected measles should be tested, but stressed that they should call their healthcare provider or hospital in advance. This precaution is crucial to prevent potential exposure, given that measles is highly contagious for those who are not immunized.
Vaccination rates in the district
She said there are high rates of vaccination against the measles in her district among school children, with 97 per cent of 17-year-olds and 92 per cent of seven-year-olds reported as fully vaccinated.
However, Zimbalatti said vaccination rates for the adult population are less clear and likely lower. A 2024 report from Canada's chief medical officer of health suggests only 87 per cent of adults have received any measles vaccination.
"We have seen increased call volumes to our vaccine preventable disease program, which is good to see that people are following the advice and checking up on their records," Zimbalatti said.

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In an effort to protect the vulnerable, visitor restrictions have been put in place at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and acute care units at the Brooks Health Centre and Taber Health Centre. All visitors under the age of 16 must provide proof of MMR vaccination to enter the neonatal intensive care, pediatric, maternal-child and labour delivery units. Critics of the province's response say these actions have come too late, with cases already surging in the region. At the entrance of the Taber Health Centre is a sign that, in all caps, warns people who have been exposed to measles not to enter. There is a separate entrance to avoid possibly infecting other patients. Yet there have still been multiple cases of individuals infected with measles, perhaps unknowingly, who have spent hours sitting in the emergency department – for nearly five hours on May 9, four hours on April 16 and three hours on March 11, according to public alerts. 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Infants in the South Zone who are six months of age or older are eligible for an early dose of vaccine because of the severity of the outbreak. Ontario put similar measures in place in the southwestern part of the province, the hotbed of the measles resurgence. In May, the Alberta government broadened its measles awareness campaign to radio, print and digital platforms, in addition to adding more immunization appointments provincewide. Paul Parks, an emergency physician and past president of the Alberta Medical Association, said the United Conservative government has done too little, too late. He said the province has 'completely abdicated' its responsibility to protect public health provincewide. 'There's been even some active support and bolstering of misinformation,' said Dr. Parks, referencing a government-commissioned report on the pandemic that recommended the use of COVID-19 vaccines be halted. 'They've courted some of the fringe beliefs out there, which has had a negative effect on public-health education and advocacy.' In the parking lot of the Taber Health Centre, Rhien DeGagne said he thinks some people in the community are hesitant to get the MMR vaccine because they believe it will cause autism – a myth that has been repeatedly debunked by experts. 'I don't agree with that at all. I just think it's a combination of the junk we put in our system nowadays,' he said. Mr. DeGagne said he doesn't support the COVID vaccine because of its novelty. But he agrees with more established vaccines, such as those that protect against measles, polio and smallpox, because they have eliminated, or eradicated, the presence of disease. 'Parents these days have to open their eyes a bit,' he said. His daughter was initially opposed to getting her children vaccinated against measles before they had a tough conversation about it. 'I said, you know, at the end of the day, you have to live with the decision you made. If something bad happens to your child, that's on you.' Since January, 75 people have been hospitalized for measles in Alberta, 12 of whom have required intensive care. The conversation about measles often comes back to children. Outside of Taber's Walmart, Harold Earhart said he isn't worried about measles. He's vaccinated. He points to a young girl holding her mother's hand in the parking lot. 'They are the ones who are going to be going through the pain and suffering.' What must Canada do to stop the spread of measles? Columnist André Picard spoke with The Decibel about the science and the stakes for your health. Subscribe for more episodes. With measles making a comeback, doctors race to fight a disease many have only seen in textbooks Views on measles vaccine differ in Southwestern Ontario after baby's death Ask a Doctor: Should I get a measles booster?