Dramatic measles outbreaks worries health authorities

95 cases of measles have been reported in Canada this year. Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba were reporting new incidents last week, Canada's chief health officer said.

This contrasts with all 147 cases last year.

“…The fact that numbers are increasing this year shows how this virus will spread if people are not vaccinated,” Dr. Teresa Tam told CBC News on Tuesday.

“What I want to see is stopping these outbreaks on their trucks so they don't get stuck in the Canadian context.”

The latest data from the Canadian Public Health Agency (PHAC) shows 34 new cases in the week of February 8th, but those numbers are already outdated as the Ontario outbreak grew.

Tam says an outbreak that currently extends to several states began in October New Brunswick.

The first person It is known to be infected The Grand Erie Public Health Area in southwestern Ontario traveled to New Brunswick to attend the wedding, says Dr. Malcolm Locke, the local health care director.

“We understand that travelers have measles. [from Europe] “I attended that wedding,” Locke said. cascade. “

The resulting outbreaks in Brantford, Ontario and surrounding counties are moving fast considering they begin before Christmas and appear to have not yet reached their peak.

Measles is the most dangerous and highly contagious virus for children under the age of 5.

The virus can easily spread into the air and cause hacking cough, high fever, and a red, spotted rash.

Measles can lead to high hospitalization rates. What's more, that's true Estimated Nearly one to three out of 1,000 infected children die from respiratory and neurological complications such as pneumonia and brain damage.

Generally speaking, Locke says that measles can lead to troublesome complications, especially in children with upper respiratory tract problems, pneumonia, and in some cases meningitis and encephalitis. Problems are lifelong It may continue.

Dr. Sarah Wilson, Public Health Doctor at Ontario Public Health, says the province expects to add 50-60 new cases to Toronto With the update Later this week. This is Ontario's largest outbreak in over a quarter century.

“My career didn't think we had to deal with and support this kind of measles outbreak,” Wilson said. “It's very dramatic to see a large number of cases and see how quickly they accumulate. But… I feel at ease that there is a control strategy for measles and it's vaccinated. It's there.”

Manitoba Health Authority I checked 5 cases It led to an outbreak in Ontario.

There is no specific treatment for measles.

For prevention, two doses of measles vaccines are considered sufficient for full protection in both adults and children. The first dose is usually given to the baby at 12-15 months, and the second one before the child starts school.

Measles was eliminated in Canada in 1998 through widespread vaccination, but cases still occur sporadically. An average of 91 cases were reported each year between 1998 and 2024, most were acquired on overseas travel.

Most cases reported in Canada occur among people who have not been vaccinated, many of which are children, including infants who have not yet had the opportunity to receive the vaccine, says PHAC.

Vaccine intake will decrease

Quebec has also experienced measles since December. The state's latest outbreak includes 28 cases, with the Laurenist region north of Montreal being hit hardest with 21.

Dr. Eric Goyer, director of public health for the Lauren faction, says the virus was also introduced into the area by travelers from abroad.

Goyer says his agency encourages children and students to be fully vaccinated. Staff are also working to ensure that those who have not been properly vaccinated will leave school until the outbreak is over.

Tam says the Lauren faction began at a meeting in Montreal.

2024, Published research The Canadian Journal of Public Health found that children's measles vaccinations were declining in 2023 compared to 2019.

Dr. Earl Rubin, director of the Infectious Diseases Division at Montreal Children's Hospital, said the outbreak “is more likely to be linked to poor vaccine intake than anything else.”

Dr. Jia Hu, a public health physician at BC Center for Disease Control's vaccine-preventable disease services and interim medical lead in the vaccination program, will ensure vaccine uptakes are as high as possible for its contagiousness as measles. It says it is necessary.

Two cases of measles in BC in 2025 are both related to travel, Hu says.

Public health officials say that the outbreak of measles in Texas is also ongoing, and tens of thousands of lawsuits in Europe, Asia and Africa are also ongoing measles outbreaks, so they're preventing them. We are encouraging you to make sure your vaccinations are up to date ahead of your spring trip this year.