15 more measles cases reported in Norfolk County

The measles outbreak continues its spread in southwestern Ontario.

On Monday, Grand Erie Public Health announced 15 additional cases in Norfolk County.

The total number of infections reported across Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Brantford and Brant County now sits at 37. Five of them are adults and 32 are children. All are recovering at home.

Officials said the new illnesses are all linked to previously reported cases.

They also released an updated list of locations where the public may have been exposed to the measles:

• Houghton Public School in Langton – From Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.
• Delhi Community Health Centre Walk-In Clinic and Pharmasave – Feb. 8 between 9:00 a.m. and noon
• Walsingham Christian School – Jan. 24, Jan. 30, Jan. 31 and Feb. 3 between 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe – Feb. 7 between 3 p.m. to 5:35 p.m.

Measles is an airborne illness that is also highly contagious. Symptoms include a red, blotchy rash that spreads down the body, fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Anyone experiencing symptoms is asked not to visit high-risk settings such as doctor’s offices, childcare facilities and hospital emergency rooms, but instead contact their health provider to discuss next steps.

Persistent problem

In an update on Jan. 29, Grand Erie Public Health said most of the confirmed measles cases were in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated communities.

Many of the children were also students at a private school.

Officials said those two factors made it much more difficult to track the illness and manage its spread.