The measles outbreak that has
infected record numbers of Ontario residents
this year appears to be losing steam in most parts of the province, according to the latest numbers from Public Health Ontario.
But measles cases are continuing to climb in parts of northern Ontario.
In the past week there were 33 new cases of measles recorded in the province, bringing the total in an historically large outbreak that began late last fall to 2,212.
Measles cases appear to have stabilized in parts of the province that have been the epicentre of the outbreak —
mainly in southwestern Ontario
. There were just a handful of new cases in the areas that have seen the highest number of cases, mainly among unvaccinated infants, children and youth.
But in the Algoma region, which includes Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River, Elliot Lake and Wawa, there were 22 new cases in the past week. There were no new cases in Eastern Ontario.
The large outbreak has sent 149 people to hospital, 11 to intensive care and played a role in
the death of a premature infant
who was infected in utero.
That child was one of seven infants born with congenital measles, meaning they were infected while in the womb. There have also been 45 women infected while being pregnant.
More than 89 per cent of those infected were not immunized.
Measles is one of the most contagious illness known and can lead to serious complications or death. The measles vaccine — which is part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) shot – is part of routine childhood immunizations required for entry to school in Ontario, unless students have an exemption for medical or philosophical reasons.
Infants usually receive the first of two doses at 12 months, which can leave younger babies vulnerable. During outbreaks, such as the one in Ontario this year, infants can receive an earlier vaccine at around six months of age.
Measles vaccines are safe, highly effective and credited with saving millions of lives around the world.
