Ontario’s measles outbreak, which infected more than 2,300 people and led to the death of a newborn, has officially been declared over.
Public Health Ontario says 46 days have passed since the last reported case, twice the maximum incubation period.
The outbreak began in October of last year after exposure to a case in New Brunswick and spread to 26 health units across the province.
The greatest percentage of cases were reported here in the Southwestern Public Health coverage area.
In June of this year, a measles-related death was reported in the health unit region.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health confirmed a premature baby infected with measles has died.
The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
More than 750 cases were reported in the region, with 74 per cent of cases in individuals 18 years of age or younger. Fifty-four people required hospitalization during their illness or seven per cent of the total case count.
Written by Ian McCallum
