Eastern Ontario Health Unit confirms two measles cases in region

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s medical officer of health is Dr. Paul Roumeliotis. Photo by Francis Racine /POSTMEDIAArticle content

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has confirmed the first two cases of measles in the region since an outbreak began in the province last fall.

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An online post by the EOHU on Friday said the two individuals, who were related, contracted the virus during travel outside the region. One was not vaccinated against measles, while the immunization status of the other was unknown, the post said. Both were currently in isolation.

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Saying the risk to the general population remained low, the health unit added that its investigation was continuing and individuals who may have been exposed to these confirmed cases of measles had been contacted.

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“I am taking this opportunity to remind parents to make sure their children’s routine immunizations are up to date as immunizations are the best defence against measles. If you or your child are not up to date on your vaccinations, please contact your health care provider to receive missing immunizations,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the EOHU’s medical officer of health, said in the post. “The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and greatly decreases the chances of catching measles and bringing it home with you.”

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The post described measles as a highly contagious viral respiratory infection caused by the measles virus. Symptoms, which usually appear within seven to 12 days after exposure, but may take up to 21 days, include high fever, cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth and red, watery eyes that may be sensitive to light. A few days after the initial symptoms, a red rash develops on the face and spreads to the arms and legs, usually lasting four to seven days. Symptoms last from one to two weeks.

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While initial symptoms are relatively mild in most cases, the post explained, common complications include ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. The most severe complications, while rare, include respiratory failure, inflammation and swelling of the brain and death.

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The Eastern Ontario Health Unit covers the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, Prescott-Russell and Cornwall, while Ottawa has its own health unit.

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