Ontario public health units target measles with education, vaccination – CBC

Cases occurring among unimmunized, health officials say

Apr 03, 2025

Health officials in three Ontario hotspots for measles are focusing on communication and vaccination to help get the outbreaks under control.

Public Health Ontario on Thursday reported 89 new cases of measles since March 26, bringing the province’s total of confirmed and probable cases this year to 655. They have been linked to a travel-related case in New Brunswick.

“The sharp increase… is due to continued exposures and transmission among individuals who have not been immunized,” the report’s authors wrote.

In the Southwestern Public Health region — which includes the communities of St. Thomas, Woodstock as well as Elgin and Oxford counties — there are 43 new cases, the largest increase in the province for the most recent reporting period.

Measles is “one of the most contagious illnesses globally, and currently the most effective way to safely prevent measles is through vaccination,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, the region’s medical officer of health.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/measles-ontario-response-1.7501613