{"id":187575,"date":"2025-03-10T11:43:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T15:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=187575"},"modified":"2025-03-10T11:43:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T15:43:33","slug":"public-health-continues-to-monitor-for-measles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/public-health-continues-to-monitor-for-measles\/","title":{"rendered":"Public health continues to monitor for measles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Despite an uptick in measles cases reported across the country, including Ontario, public health officials in Simcoe Muskoka report that there are no cases here, but they continue to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“While there may be no cases locally, it is important for people to be aware that the virus could be circulating in places they may be travelling to over the school break that can put them at risk if they are not up to date with their measles immunization,” according to Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Colin Lee with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. \u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“However, we have had some of [the] residents who have been notified in the past months that they were exposed to persons with measles. There have been 177 persons with measles reported in Ontario related to an ongoing measles outbreak that started late last year and is predominantly in Grand Erie and Southwestern public health units\u2019 areas, mainly among unimmunized persons,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the world’s most contagious viruses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public health says measles is one of the world\u2019s most contagious viruses.\u00a0It most commonly spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to two hours after that person has left.\u00a0 The virus particles can float in the air for two hours before they drop to the ground. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.\u00a0Just like other viruses, you can pick it up from touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your nose or mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. Possible complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea or encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and occasionally death in the very young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there special clinics in place?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ontario children receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at the age of one year and then a second dose between the age of four and six years as part of the province\u2019s\u00a0routine immunization schedule<\/a>. \u00a0Many primary care providers offer the MMR and other routine vaccines in their offices. Parents of children who are unsure of whether their child has been immunized or their child has not yet received their immunizations should speak to their healthcare provider to ensure their children are up to date or make an appointment to get immunized. For those who don\u2019t have a primary care provider, they can call the health unit to book an appointment. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immunization is recommended for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n