No measles cases detected in Ottawa, but public health preparing

CTV’s Patricia Boal speaks with Ottawa Public Health Interim Medical Officer of Health Dr. Trevor Arnason, on the rise is measles cases in Ontario

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says there are currently no reported cases of measles in the city as Ontario deals with its highest level of disease in over a decade, but officials are preparing in case cases come to the capital.

In a memo Thursday, interim medical officer of health Dr. Trevor Arnason said OPH is actively promoting routine vaccinations and is ready to support individuals diagnosed with measles, conduct contact tracing at locations where possible measles exposures have occurred, and provide outreach to health care professionals.

“OPH will continue to promote vaccination as the best strategy to prevent the transmission of measles. Routine immunizations for children and youth are available through primary care providers, the OPH Community Vaccination Clinic, or OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs,” Arnason wrote.

Public Health Ontario said, as of Wednesday, there have been 470 measles cases in the province linked to a travel-related case from New Brunswick that was reported on Oct. 18, 2024.

“The sharp 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,” Public Health Ontario said in a report issued Thursday.

Recently, the South East Health Unit, which represents a wide area in eastern Ontario including Brockville, Kingston, and Belleville, reported an outbreak of at least 32 cases in Hastings County. The Health Unit is holding a vaccination clinic for children and school education and childcare workers in Brockville next week.

Measles is a highly contagious infection that can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The measles virus can live 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, red eyes, and a notable red, blotchy rash. Severe complications can include respiratory failure, swelling of the brain, and death.

Details on where to obtain a measles vaccine in Ottawa can be found on OPH’s website.