32 measles cases in eastern Ontario: South East Health Unit urging residents to get vaccinated

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is urging residents in eastern Ontario to get vaccinated against measles, citing an increase in cases as the province deals with the largest outbreak in 30 years.

There are 32 measles cases in Hastings County, said the SEHU in a news release Thursday. The health unit notes that all these cases involve patients who were not previously immunized against the disease.

“The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in reducing transmission and preventing severe outcomes from the virus,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, medical officer of health and CEO at the SEHU. “By working together to ensure that everyone who is able to get vaccinated has done so, we can prevent outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable in the community from measles and its complications.”

On March 5, the health unit reported nine confirmed cases in Hastings County.

Hastings County includes communities such as Belleville and Quinte West. Madoc is about 40 kilometres north of Belleville.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is also urging the public to get their vaccinations to prevent the spread, though no cases have been confirmed in the capital.

The outbreak is happening in 11 public health units across Ontario. As of Wednesday, a total of 372 measles cases, 277 confirmed and 95 probable, have been confirmed in the province, the SEHU says.

According to the health unit, measles is highly contagious. It spreads through the air easily when the patient breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. Measles can also stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Symptoms begin to surface seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, and red eyes, says the SEHU, noting that “small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present.”

“Three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and then progresses down the body,” reads the release.

Here’s what to do if you develop symptoms:

• Stay home and do not attend work or school.
• Call your health-care provider. If you need to go to a clinic or other health-care setting for care, it is important to contact them ahead of time to avoid inadvertently exposing others.
• You may also call the SEHU’s Infectious and Communicable Diseases Program at 613-966- 5500, extension 349.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the virus is asked to make sure they have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).

The SEHU says people who were born before 1970 “would likely have had measles as a child and are protected.”

Bookings for immunization can be done by calling your health-care provider, or online at Hastings Prince Edward (HPE), Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFLA), and Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark (LGL).

Residents in Hastings and Prince Edward counties are asked to make sure they are up to date with their vaccines. Immunization records can be reviewed online at Hastings Prince Edward (HPE), Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFLA), and Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark (LGL).

Those who don’t have a vaccination record, are asked to speak with their family doctor, the SEHU says, noting that records for residents who were born in 1985 or earlier may not be available.

More information about measles is available online.