Hamilton, Brant County health officials confirm case of measles

Hamilton Public Health and the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) have confirmed investigations are now underway for possible exposures to a single case of measles in both regions.

This new case makes it the third case in Ontario, and BCHU says one child is in hospital with the virus.

Earlier this month a child in Mississauga contracted the highly contagious, airborne virus and then days later and infant in Toronto did as well, all of which were determined to be tied to travel.

BCHU says the illness was acquired during recent travel to Europe. They arrived home last Friday from London England to Toronto Pearson Airport and the individual was taken straight to Brantford General Hospital. The next day the child was transferred to the ER at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Brendan Lew, Hamilton’s Public Health Associate Officer, says “Measles is a very serious, vaccine-preventable disease and is transmitted as a respiratory virus, so it does move through the air and we’re concerned about people sharing the same air space with cases,” Dr. Lew explains “this is a serious disease with serious health complications including lung disease and pneumonia it can cause neurological complications. This could easily result in hospitalization and in some cases result in mortality.”

Hamilton Public Health is urging, anyone who attended Mac Kids last Saturday to watch for symptoms including high fever and rash. They also recommend vaccination updates.

The first is Lufthansa Flight 6584 from London Heathrow, United Kingdom to Pearson International Airport, on Friday between the hours of 3 p.m. (local London time) and 5:55 p.m. (local Toronto time).

Next identified is Pearson International Airport – Terminal 1 on Friday between the hours of 5:55 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Additionally the Brantford General Hospital’s Emergency Department on Friday between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2:02 a.m.

Brant County says they estimate about 200 people were exposed and are following up. At this time, the health unit says it has identified four locations where the public may have been exposed.

On Wednesday, Hamilton Public Health confirmed they were notified about the case in Brant on Tuesday and are investigating potential exposure at Mac Kids.

Similarly, Hamilton Public Health says that it is in the process of reaching out to all known contacts who may have been exposed to the virus while at the hospital’s emergency department from approximately 6:51 a.m. to 2:09 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a respiratory virus that easily spreads to those who are not vaccinated against it, or who have not previously contracted the disease.

Infants under the age of one, those who are pregnant, and people with weakened immune systems are all considered to be at an increased risk for severe complications.

Hamilton Public Health says symptoms typically develop within seven to 21 days after infection and may include a high fever, red, watery eyes, small white spots with white centers, and a red, blotchy rash three to seven days after symptoms start, among others.

Anyone who believes they may have come in contact with the virus is asked to contact public health, check vaccination records and monitor symptoms.

The presence of a case in Hamilton comes amid a rise in cases globally that has prompted Canada’s national public health agency to “strongly advise” that everyone check they are fully immunized against measles.

The disease was declared as eradicated in Canada in 1988, meaning cases were no longer originating from within the country.

Effective prevention requires that 95 percent of the population be vaccinated. In recent years Canada’s vaccination coverage for measles has dipped below this threshold, partly due to disruptions to routine childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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