Measles: A highly contagious infectious disease that spreads through the air, by expelled droplets from sneezes and coughs. Droplets from an infected person can live for up to two hours in the air – even after the person has left the room. There is no cure for the measles virus, treatment is offered to relieve symptoms and prevent severe complications.
Immunization is key to preventing the spread and resurgence of measles in Canada. Children in Ontario receive two doses of measles containing vaccine before the age of seven. Those under five years of age are most at risk of complications following infection such as otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Since the introduction of the two-dose vaccine series in Ontario, measles cases have dropped from 2,342 in 1995 to 191 in 1996 and eight in 2017. Despite measles elimination, Canada and Ontario continue to experience ongoing measles activity due to importation of cases from other areas of the world where the disease remains widespread.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit does not have any cases of confirmed measles at this time and is monitoring the current outbreak situations closely. This is an opportunity for parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up-to-date, and that they are protected against measles. You can retrieve your child’s immunization record from their physician, through ICON (link can be found on our website www.rcdhu.com) or by calling 613-735-8666 and speaking with a Public Health Nurse.
