During a serious health event, like when a highly contagious virus is circulating in the community and in Ontario, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), and other public health units and agencies provide information and actions that the public can use to stay safe. We do this by updating the public via local media, on the health unit’s website and social media accounts and when we share information, it is based on the best available science.
On March 19, the health unit shared that a lab-confirmed case of measles occurred in our community. This case resulted in a total of three cases connected to that household. On April 2, another lab-confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated resident of Simcoe Muskoka who recently traveled internationally was reported. The case is unrelated to the case reported on March 19.
When information about measles in our community was shared on social media, a concerning number of comments and messages containing incorrect information that could endanger people’s health were posted in response. It is normal and expected that people will ask questions and reach out to one another through social media. However, some of the comments about measles on social media are particularly concerning because they are based on statements that are inaccurate and are contrary to well established scientific evidence. Here are some of the common false claims and the evidence-based facts that disprove them.
False claims: “No one dies from measles,” and “measles is as minor as a cold.”
Fact: Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viruses. It most commonly spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Anyone who is unvaccinated can get measles by being in a room where a person with measles has been and the virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after that person has left the room. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. Just like other viruses, you can pick it up from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your nose or mouth.
Symptoms of measles begin seven to 21 days after exposure and can include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. 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.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles and many people will recover without special treatment or hospitalization. However, some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). They may need to be hospitalized and could die.
Hospitalization. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles is hospitalized.
Pneumonia. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
Encephalitis. About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
Death. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
Complications during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause preterm birth or having a low-birth-weight baby.
Worldwide, as recent as the year 2000, there were about 800,000 deaths yearly. Thanks to the measles vaccine, that number has decreased significant, but sadly, there are still about 100,000 deaths yearly, mainly in unvaccinated children under the age of five years of age who live in lower income countries where access to the vaccine is difficult.
False claim: “We have measles cases every year.”
Fact: Measles was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998, meaning it was not commonly circulating in our country and this was achieved with high rates of people being immunized against measles. However, because we have been fortunate not to have seen family and friends suffering from measles infection in recent years, falsehoods about vaccines, and the disruptions caused by the pandemic, this has led to declining immunization rates and the resurgence of measles.
Dr. Colin Lee is an Associate Medical Officer of Health at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. His primary responsibilities are in the areas of vaccine preventable diseases, infectious disease and sexual health.
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I had measles badly when i was around 4 . In the summer of course, kept in a dark room, im not sure if it was extra hot that summer or my fever was really high. But im wondering does that mean i cant get it again? I really dont know.
Many thanks Dr. Lee for this timely, helpful information, shining a scientific light on the nonsense out there.
Much appreciated.
I sincerely hope people take seriously the offer of reliable science-based information about communicable disease, disease spread, and vaccination protections.