Lone measles case confirmed in York Region

YorkRegion.com
April 2, 2014
By Amanda Persico

York Region is reporting a case of the measles — one of 11 confirmed cases in Ontario that includes four in Ottawa, three in Hamilton, two in London and one in Waterloo, according to the region’s public health office.

“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases,” said York Region Public Health’s infectious diseases control manager Omar Ozaldin. “Vaccines are one of the most important medical improvements. And it is the most effective in protecting yourself.”

Ontario Public Health confirmed earlier this week the current cases are related to travel to high-risk areas, such as the Philippines, Thailand and Europe.

The region’s single case of measles is related to travel as well, Mr. Ozaldin said.

The number of cases has raised some concerns among health officials.

Last month, there were more than 320 cases of measles near Chilliwack, B.C.

Alberta reported one confirmed case and two probable cases in February.

Saskatchewan has reported 11 confirmed cases since the beginning of the year.

Manitoba public health officials confirmed two cases of measles last month.

“You don’t usually see measles in York Region,” Mr. Ozaldin said. “And you wouldn’t expect to see measles now.”

Along with a resurgence of the virus, there is a growing global anti-vaccine movement, which includes celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy. One of their arguments is higher rates of vaccination could be related to higher rates of autism, which has not be scientifically proven.

The anti-vaccination camp is on everyone’s radar, Mr. Ozaldin said.

It is important to know the measles vaccine is regularly monitored by the federal government, he said.

“It’s about knowing the implications of the disease and the implications of not getting vaccinated,” Mr. Ozaldin said.

One in 3,000 cases of measles can be fatal.

With the recent national measles outbreaks, there is a call for a national solution, including a national vaccine registry or database as the yellow immunization cards can be easy to lose, damage or forget.

If you are unsure about your personal immunization history, the best defense is to get vaccinated or check your vaccination records with your doctor or local public health unit.

You can also get a blood test done that can tell you if you have been vaccinated, Mr. Ozaldin said. You can also check with your elementary school, as most elementary schools have immunization records.

Measles is spread by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cold-like symptoms, such as a cough and runny nose, red or inflamed eyes, small grey spots with white centres in the mouth and a rash that can last four to seven days.

Symptoms are not immediate. They can become apparent 10 to 14 days after contact with the virus.

The measles virus, which is evident in humans and not in animals, can last between one to three weeks and can remain airborne for up to two hours.

More serious complications include blindness, encephalitis – a disease that causes brain swelling – sever diarrhea, ear infections and severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.

Unvaccinated young children are most at risk of contracting the measles and are most at risk for virus complications and even death.

Contracting the measles is also dangerous for unvaccinated pregnant women, which can be fatal for both mom and baby.

For more information on vaccines, visit phac-aspc.gc.ca

TIMELINE

Canada’s measles history:
• Prior to 1954 – in the pre-vaccine era, epidemics occurred every two to three years. Measles was responsible for 50 to 75 deaths a year, about 5,000 hospital admissions;
•1954 to 1963 – the measles virus was isolated and a vaccine was developed;
• Since 1963 – cases of measles dropped by more than 99 per cent, from about 350,000 cases prior to 1963, to less than 2,000 in 1994;
• 1995 – more than 2,300 cases of measles were reported in Canada, which led to the introduction of a two-dose immunization system;
• Since 1998 – There is an active measles reporting system in Canada, which requires all provinces and territories report confirmed cases of measles weekly to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

– Immunize Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting the importance of vaccines.