An outbreak of measles in southern Ontario has led to advisories in the north.
Public Health Ontario says there have been more than 350 cases reported this year, with 170 still active in several communities.
Nearly all those affected were not immunized against the highly contagious airborne illness.
There are no cases in northwestern Ontario, but health units say residents may have been exposed if they were at Toronto’s Pearson Airport Terminal One on March 2nd.
They are being told to monitor for symptoms that will appear 21 days after exposure to someone with measles.
They include a high fever, cold-like symptoms, small spots with white centres inside the mouth, sore eyes and sensitivity to light and a red blotchy rash lasting between four and seven
days.
If you show signs, you are encouraged to isolate and call your healthcare provider, but do not visit them immediately.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, says the best defence against measles is being vaccinated.
“The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been in use for more than 50 years and is proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available,” says Dr. Moore.
“All Ontarians should ensure themselves, and their children, are up to date on their vaccinations. Children who are fully immunized with two doses of the measles vaccine are nearly 100% protected, with one dose estimated to be up to 95% protective.”
Dr. Moore says children should receive two doses of the vaccine, their first at 12 months and a second when they are four to six years old.
