Huron And Perth Counties Now Areas Of Concern For Measles
by Bob Montgomery
Huron Perth Public Health has identified six lab-confirmed cases of measles in Huron and Perth, with more cases pending lab results.
All cases were connected to the ongoing outbreak in the Southwestern Public Health and Grand Erie Public Health regions. Measles can easily spread to people who are not immune when someone with measles coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. The virus is airborne and can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. HPPH strongly recommends residents make sure they and family members are up to date with measles vaccinations.
Measles Vaccinations
The best way to protect against measles is vaccination. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine (i.e., MMR and/or MMRV) is over 97% effective in preventing a measles infection. The majority of cases reported in the current outbreaks are unvaccinated.
With Huron Perth Public Health being an area of concern for measles, and in consultation with the Ministry of Health, measles vaccine eligibility is now expanded to those who live, work, play, travel to, or worship within the Huron Perth Public Health region.
Infants aged 6 months to 11 months are eligible to receive a first dose of measles-containing vaccine for earlier protection against measles. Typically, in Ontario, children receive their first dose of measles vaccine at one year of age.
A second dose of measles-containing vaccine for children can be given before the age of 4 in consultation with your healthcare provider. Typically, in Ontario, children receive a measles booster dose between the ages of four and six – preferably before starting school.
HPPH strongly recommends under-immunized children who are in school or childcare receive measles vaccine.
Two doses of measles-containing vaccine are advised for adults born in and after 1970.
Adults born before 1970 are generally considered protected against measles. Specific populations of adults born before 1970 (e.g., people who work in healthcare, members of the military) are advised to consult with their healthcare provider for measles-containing vaccine doses.
Vaccine clinics
Huron Perth Public Health will be holding measles vaccine clinics during the week of March break (March 10-15) to help families without a healthcare provider get up to date with their measles immunizations. Clinic times and locations will be shared at www.hpph.ca/measles.
Measles Exposures
HPPH is completing case and contact tracing for measles cases, reaching out to anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. If HPPH cannot contact everyone who may have been exposed to measles, they will notify the public of a possible community exposure. This information will be shared through their website and media releases.
If you think you or a family member has been exposed to measles or has the virus:
Assess your risk of exposure using the online Measles Exposure Self-Assessment Tool, which can be accessed from www.hpph.ca/measles.
If you are not fully vaccinated or have measles symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with other people. Avoid having visitors in your home.
If you need medical care, call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. Tell them you may have measles or been exposed so they can prepare for your arrival and prevent the virus from spreading to others.
Wear a well-fitted mask if you need to go out for medical care.
Symptoms
Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to the virus and include:
fever
runny nose
cough
red eyes
small white spots can appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present
a red blotchy rash appears on the face and then spreads down the body (normally appears three to seven days after symptoms begin)
Someone who has measles can be contagious from four days before the rash starts to four days after the rash starts. Most people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks, but sometimes measles can cause complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, hearing loss, brain swelling (encephalitis), seizures or, rarely, death.
Measles Information Line
For more information about measles, visit www.hpph.ca/measles, or contact the HPPH Measles Information line at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299 or measlesinfoline@hpph.ca.
For more information:
Huron Perth Public Health: 1-888-221-2133
Visit www.hpph.ca
