Chief Medical Officer Raises Alarm Over Measles Outbreaks in Ontario, Quebec

This undated image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Feb. 4, 2015, shows an electron microscope image of a measles virus particle, centre. The Canadian Press/AP-Cynthia Goldsmith/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP

Canada’s top health official is expressing concern about the rise in measles outbreaks in the country, with a growing number of cases cropping up in Ontario and Quebec.

International travel was the initial source of the outbreaks, but all the recent measles infections resulted from exposure to the virus in Canada, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said in a Jan. 29 statement.

“Measles can spread very quickly—90 percent of people who are not vaccinated or haven’t had measles before can become infected if they are near someone with the disease,” Tam said.

Most of the recent infections reported in Canada involved unvaccinated individuals, Tam said, noting that a considerable number of cases involve children and infants under the age of one.

Health Canada has documented eight measles cases as of Jan. 11, but local public health units have provided updated figures indicating significantly higher case counts.

Public Health Ontario reported 38 cases of measles, which includes 12 confirmed cases and 26 probable cases, associated with travel exposure from New Brunswick as of Jan. 15.

Twenty-eight of the cases involved children and adolescents and 10 were linked to adults.

With the exception of two cases, all individuals were not immunized, public health said. One individual reported receiving a single dose of a measles-containing vaccine, while another reported receiving two doses. One of the children was hospitalized.

The cases occurred in the Southwestern Public Health, Grey Bruce Health Unit, and Grand Erie Public Health areas of the province.

Grand Erie Public Health also reported a new measles case this week in a child who is recovering at home.

Health officials in Quebec reported 16 cases of the respiratory infection as of Jan. 28. Ten cases are in the Laurentides and less than five cases have been found both in Montreal and Laval.

Measles Risks and Symptoms

Measles is a highly infectious airborne illness that poses the risk of serious health complications. While severe outcomes are rare, they can include respiratory failure, inflammation of the brain, and death.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. The condition is typically accompanied by a rash that manifests in red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face and then spread down the body, arms, and legs.

Those who develop symptoms of measles are asked to call a health-care provider immediately while isolating at home. They will provide advice on testing and isolation to limit spread of the disease.

“When possible, do not go to a healthcare facility or a doctor’s office without calling ahead first to let them know you might have measles,” Tam said. “That way, appropriate precautions can be taken to prevent the spread to others as soon as you arrive.”

A research article released in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in October found a decline in measles vaccination rates among children aged two to seven prior to, during, and following the COVID-19 pandemic.