Public Health Alert – Measles Situation Update
Situation
Measles cases in Ontario have increased greatly in recent months. International travel has resulted in multiple pockets of localized transmission in Southern Ontario and throughout Canada, including recent epi-linked cases in Southern Manitoba. This spread is primarily occurring in those unimmunized or partially immunized, but due to the high communicability of measles, this could put other community members at risk. Global travel, especially during March Break, can increase risk of measles in our region. Individuals should be adequately immunized prior to travel.
Actions requested
- Support all patients/clients, whether or not they are travelling, to be immunized according to the Canadian Immunization Guide and the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
- In addition to routine immunizations, the following is recommended for those at higher risk of exposure to measles:
- Infants 6 to 11 months of age who are travelling to areas where measles is of concern, should be immunized with one dose of MMR.
- Adults 18 years of age and older who have previously received one dose of MMR should receive a second dose if they are health care workers, post-secondary students, planning to travel to areas where measles is of concern, or based on the health care provider’s clinical judgement.
- In addition to routine immunizations, the following is recommended for those at higher risk of exposure to measles:
- Consider measles in patients presenting with fever and rash and other measles symptoms (cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis), among those with recent travel or those who have had known contact with a case of measles.
- If you are investigating a suspect case of measles in a patient, contact Northwestern Health Unit immediately to ensure that all appropriate tests are completed.
- Testing: For diagnosis of symptomatic patients, collect NP and/or throat, as well as urine specimens for PCR, AND blood for serology as laid out by Public Health Ontario.
Attachment: Measles: Information for Health Care Providers
Contact:
Sandra Krikke
Manager, Infectious Diseases
Northwestern Health Unit
skrikke@nwhu.on.ca