Canada: Measles death reported in Ontario
Public Health Ontario has reported a measles death in a unvaccinated child less than five years old. This is the first measles death in the province in more than a decade.
As of May 15, 2024, 22 confirmed cases of measles were reported in Ontario in 2024. All were in individuals born after 1970; 13 were in children and nine in adults. Twelve of the children were unimmunized and immunization status was unknown for one child. Four of the adults were previously immunized with at least two doses of measles-containing vaccine, two adults were unimmunized, and immunization status was unknown for three adults.
Cases occurred in nine different public health units—Brant County Health Unit (1), City of Hamilton Public Health Services (6), Durham Region Health Department (1), Halton Region Health Department (3), Middlesex-London Health Unit (1), Peel Public Health (1), Toronto Public Health (6), Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (1) and York Region Public Health (1).
Five cases have required hospitalization, all among children who were unimmunized; of these, was the one death in a child less than five years old.
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Measles is a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious. Individuals with measles spread the virus by coughing or sneezing into the air. It can also be transmitted by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching an infected surface. Symptoms of measles include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and cough.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against measles. For children and most adults born after 1970, this means receiving two doses of measles-containing vaccine (e.g., MMR vaccine). Individuals travelling outside of Canada should ensure they are adequately protected through vaccination prior to travelling.
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If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, stay at home, and call your health care provider or local public health unit right away. Before seeking medical attention, be sure to contact your health care provider or the healthcare facility prior to your arrival so that the appropriate precautions can be taken to prevent the spread of measles.