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Hamilton Spectator
03-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Elgin-Oxford measles cases surge for second straight week
A London-area public health office at the epicentre of a provincewide measles outbreak is reporting its largest weekly surge in cases of the highly infectious disease since it began recording weekly statistics. Southwestern Public Health, the health unit that oversees Oxford and Elgin Counties and St. Thomas, is reporting 65 news measles cases since April 24 as of Thursday. The 65 cases is the largest seven-day increase since the health unit's epidemiology team began tracking weekly case counts on Feb. 27, health officials said. As of Feb. 27, the health unit had recorded 85 measles cases dating back to October 2024 when the outbreak began. During a virtual news conference on Thursday, Ninh Tran, medical officer for Southwestern Public Health, said the past week's measles case count was 'certainly a noticeable rise,' and attributed the cases to a cluster of unvaccinated individuals. 'This sharp rise in cases may be concerning to the community,' Tran said. 'However, the majority of these cases are part of a group of cases we are investigating that are linked to one another.' Tran continued: 'This is good example of how quickly measles can spread in groups where there are unvaccinated individuals. It is not uncommon to have increased number of cases reported after exposures in large households between siblings and other family members.' The increase in measles cases marks the second straight week the disease has spiked after a drop in cases. The health unit had recorded its lowest seven-day count with 15 cases between April 10 and April 17, followed by 28 cases between April 17 and April 24. Southwestern Public Health has updated its recorded measles case count from seven to 15 cases between April 10 and April 17. However, 15 cases remains the lowest seven-day case count since the health unit began tracking weekly figures in February. Thursday's report brings the total measles cases recorded by Southwestern Public Health to 451, accounting for about 35 per cent of the province's 1,243 cases Public Health Ontario was reporting as of April 29. There's a slight discrepancy between Public Health Ontario and Southwestern Public Health because the provincial agency records its data a day earlier. Southwestern Public Health's rate of cases per 100,000 people is 181 while the overall rate in Ontario is 7.9 cases per 100,000 people, Public Health Ontario said in its updated epidemiological report released on Thursday. The province's numbers jumped by 223 cases between April 23 and April 29, Public Health Ontario said in its report. 'The increase in the number of outbreak cases and the geographic spread in recent weeks is due to continued exposures and transmission among individuals who have not been immunized,' the report said. Southwestern, Grand Erie (Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand), Huron Perth and Chatham-Kent account for 71 per cent of Ontario's cases. As of Thursday, Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported 28 cases, officials from the public health office stated, noting most of the cases were 'clusters among unvaccinated individuals.' Tran said about 7.8 per cent of the cases reported by Southwest Public Health have resulted in hospitalization. 'I do want to highlight that measles can result in complications . . . including hospitalizations,' Tran said. Measles symptoms include a red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, upper respiratory symptoms, red eyes and fatigue. Serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness and death are possible.
CBC
12-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Worried about measles in southwestern Ontario? Here's what you need to know
As measles cases continue to grow in southwestern Ontario, health officials say people need to make sure they are informed and vaccinated. After years without locally acquired measles cases, both Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent are now seeing the disease spread in the community. Health officials in both regions say it's a fluid situation, with cases likely to increase in the coming weeks. Since January, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has reported six cases and the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has reported seven cases as of Tuesday evening. "I understand the concern of our community," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. "We are monitoring the situation carefully as it evolves. We are in conversation with our neighbouring health unit to understand the behaviour of disease in those communities." The Middlesex-London Health Unit also reported its first case this week. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It is spread through the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. Symptoms include: Fever. Cough. Red, watery eyes. Runny nose. Koplik spots — small, white spots that occur on the inside of the cheeks. A rash that usually begins as flat, red spots on the face and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. It is estimated nearly one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected will die from complications, such as pneumonia and a swelling of the brain called encephalitis. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles infection, which needs to run its course, though medications are available to help manage symptoms. Droplets containing the measles virus can stay in the air for several hours, and the virus remains infectious on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. Am I at risk? "The people that we're most worried about are unvaccinated people, because they're the people that are most susceptible to getting measles if they're exposed," said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent. If you have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMVR) vaccine, health officials say you are highly protected. According to the Canadian government, the efficacy of one dose of the vaccine is estimated to be between 85 and 95 per cent, with two doses bringing that to 100 per cent. In Ontario, kids are expected to receive the first vaccine dose at 12 months and then a second dose between four and six years old. To check your of your kids' vaccination status, you can speak with your family doctor, look at your vaccination record or check your record online. If you were born before 1970, Health Canada says you are considered immune, because it's likely you had the virus at some point in time — though you should still speak with a family doctor to ensure you don't need the vaccine. The vaccination rates in both Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent are high, so public health officials say the risk of getting measles is still low. What should I do if my child is too young to be vaccinated? If your child has not yet been vaccinated because they are younger than 12 months, Nesathurai advises that you speak with your family doctor or local public health unit about how to best protect them. "If your children are unwell, then it's better to be safe ... better to take them to the doctor or to your nurse practitioner and have someone look at the child," he said. If parents suspect their child has measles or been exposed, Nesathurai says they should call in advance to their clinic or doctor's office so they can take all precautions to make sure no one else in the waiting room gets exposed. Parents can also stay up to date on measles exposure locations by going to their local public health unit website. There are currently several locations listed between Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent where people could have been exposed.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Local man in mid-30s diagnosed with measles, health officials say
Social Sharing As measles cases in the region and across the country surge, London's health unit has recorded its first lab-confirmed case of the highly contagious virus. A man in his mid-30s has been confirmed to have the illness, said Dr. Alex Summers, the medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London health Unit. He was exposed to measles outside of this immediate region, he added. "We received that report over the weekend and have been able to follow up with all exposed individuals to make sure that they're notified and taking appropriate precautions." The man said he was vaccinated against the measles when he was younger, but doesn't have vaccination records so health officials are still working to verify that information, Summers said. "Over 90 per cent of the cases of measles in southwestern Ontario have been amongst people who are unvaccinated. We will see periodic and sporadic cases even amongst those that are vaccinated but that represents a small number of people in the big scheme of things," he added. Measles — and disinformation about vaccines against it — are spreading 4 days ago Duration 2:44 As disinformation about vaccines continues to spread, a virologist and a pediatrician share the importance of getting vaccines to prevent the spread of harmful diseases like polio and measles. Measles can be fairly mild if a person is over the age of five and not otherwise immunocompromised, such as the local case, Summers said. "Complications of measles can happen in children under five or for those who are immunocompromised. That's where we see more severe things that can lead to people being in hospital." This is the Middlesex-London Health Unit's first case of lab-confirmed measles since March 2024. Other regions, including Norfolk, Elgin and Oxford counties, have had hundreds of cases in the last few months, most in unvaccinated children. "Measles is a remarkably contagious virus. If somebody is infected with measles, nine out of ten people around them will become infected with the virus unless they are protected through things like vaccination," Summers said. "It's tremendously contagious, which is why it moves like wildfire through susceptible populations, and that's why we're seeing outbreaks in southwestern Ontario. The good news is that we have a very, very high measles vaccination coverage rate in Middlesex-London." Two doses of the measles vaccine, listed as MMR or MMRV in most health records, provides nearly 100 per cent immunity from the highly contagious virus. • Fever, cough and runny nose • Red and irritated eyes • Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth • Red, blotchy rash (which is the last symptom to appear) The Health Unit asks that anyone who thinks they have measles isolate at home to avoid spreading the virus to others. If medical care is required, people are asked to call ahead so health providers can take the necessary precautions in place.
CBC
10-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
First measles case recorded in Middlesex-London region, health officials say
For the first time in a year, the London region has recorded a lab-confirmed case of the measles. "The individual was likely exposed while visiting a neighbouring jurisdiction," health officials said. "All individuals in the Middlesex-London region exposed to the case have been notified." The last time the region covered by the Middlesex-London Health Unit recorded a lab-confirmed case of the measles was March 2024. The health unit didn't specify if the person who has measles lived in London or in Middlesex County, how old the person was, or if he or she was vaccinated against the disease. "Middlesex-London Health Unit is working with the province and neighbouring health units to minimize the transmission of measles in Southwestern Ontario," Dr. Alex Summers, the region's medical officer of health said in a statement. "Although the transmission of measles within Middlesex-London is currently limited, it is critical that everyone takes this opportunity to ensure they are immune to this virus." Measles — and disinformation about vaccines against it — are spreading 4 days ago Duration 2:44 As disinformation about vaccines continues to spread, a virologist and a pediatrician share the importance of getting vaccines to prevent the spread of harmful diseases like polio and measles. Two doses of the measles vaccine, listed as MMR or MMRV in most health records, provides nearly 100 per cent immunity from the highly contagious virus. Most of the cases in surrounding Southwestern Public Health region, which includes Elgin and Oxford counties as well as St. Thomas and Woodstock, have been in unvaccinated children. Symptoms of measles may include: • Fever, cough and runny nose • Red and irritated eyes • Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth • Red, blotchy rash (which is the last symptom to appear) The Health Unit asks that anyone who thinks they have measles isolate at home to avoid spreading the virus to others. If medical care is required, people are asked to call ahead so health providers can take the necessary precautions in place. "Measles is very contagious and spreads through droplets in the air. One infected person can easily and unknowingly spread the virus to an entire room of people," health officials said.
CBC
17-02-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Londoners dig out after massive snow dump as bitter cold, heavy wind creeps in
People across London and the surrounding region, much like people across Ontario and Quebec, were faced with digging themselves out of multiple days of snowfall as the Family Day holiday got started Monday. That process began as the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) warned of bitter cold and Environment Canada warned of heavy winds and blowing snow that could make for hazardous driving conditions. In east London, that cold, wind and snow didn't stop residents from clearing the way so they could begin enjoying their holiday. "Actually having a winter this year feels a little unusual," said Londoner Mike Miles as he shoveled snow at the front of a large commercial property on Princess Avenue. "I feel like we're kind of getting a little bit of what we used to get back in the day." Ontario, Quebec digging out from massive snowfalls Miles's property was flanked by boulevards with snowbanks as tall as two metres — the result of heavy snowfall that came from back-to-back winter storms. The storms covered the region from southwestern Ontario to Quebec and took place throughout Saturday and Sunday. The conditions, while difficult, did bring out the kindness and warmth that often shines through Canadian winters, Miles said. "It's kind of part of the culture. Here in Canada, we're super nice people. If we see somebody that needs help, we're not afraid to get out there and give them a hand," Miles said. Those in need certainly appreciated the helping hands. Jessica Justrabo found herself — and her car — stuck in a snowbank at the end of a driveway after taking the risk of plowing through it in an attempt to park. "Everybody on the street is [blocked] out," she said. "The sidewalk plows blocked us in our driveway, then the street plows block the end of the driveway." It wasn't long before neighbours took notice, and within 20 minutes the car was free. "Whenever I've gotten stuck, people have always helped me at some point. It helps that I'm a girl," Justrabo joked. For other Londoners like Paul Cieslak, the shoveling was a less than ideal but ultimately necessary process. "I feel like we haven't had this much snow in probably close to 10 years. The problem with this is we're getting a storm after storm after storm ... It's just a pain to shovel it, and we have nowhere to put it," he said. City plows working on overdrive The scope of the snowfall that hit the city over the weekend was felt firsthand by the City of London's snow plow operators. Joel Gillard, the city's division manager of road operations, said while operators work in rotating shifts, some of his fleet of plows and salters had been on the roads for close to 72 hours by Monday. The city's 70 road plows, 50 sidewalk plows and 28 salt and sand trucks primarily work on arterial roads and bus routes before fanning out to cover other areas. "It's been a challenging event to manage," Gilliard said, pointing to the city-wide scene of two-metre tall snowbanks and cul-de-sacs with mountains of snow in their centres. "There's [typically] no problem pushing that snow to the side of the road, but now those snow banks are getting quite significant. We're having to bring in additional equipment to get that snow up and out of the way," he said. Cold, wind causing concerns Now that the dust has mostly settled, a bitter cold and heavy winds are taking hold. The Middlesex-London Health Unit issued a cold alert Monday morning, noting the low temperatures with windchill values as low as -30 C forecast for overnight. In response, on top opening warming centres, the City of London activated a temporary overnight emergency warming centre at Boyle Memorial Community Centre. At the same time, Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning and a blowing snow advisory, warning of strong wind gusts that could blow snow across roads, resulting in near-zero visibility, especially in rural areas.
