A measles-related death was reported today in the Southwestern Public Health 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.
Dr. Moore advised, “While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.”
Dr. Ninh Tran, the region’s medical officer of health added the death “underscores the seriousness of measles in pregnant individuals, as it can cause low birth weight for the baby, preterm birth, and miscarriage.”
Dr. Tran noted measles can also cause pneumonia, brain swelling, and death, with infants and immunocompromised individuals especially vulnerable to these risks.
The safest and most effective way to protect yourself from measles is through immunization.
The health unit released a measles outbreak report last Thursday that indicated 26 new cases have been recorded since May 22, down from 63 the previous week.
That brings the total case count since last October to 717.
Just over 70 per cent of cases are in those 18 years of age or younger, with 6.6 per cent of cases requiring hospitalization.
Dr. Tran advised out of respect to the family, no other details will be made available.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms start 7 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. The main signs include:
High fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body
Complications can include:
Diarrhea
Ear infections
Pneumonia (lung infection)
Rare but serious complications:
Brain infection (encephalitis)
Death
Measles spreads when:
You breathe air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed
You touch a surface with the virus on it and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to 2 hours.
You can spread measles to others 4 days before the rash starts and until 4 days after the rash starts.
More information can be found at https://www.swpublichealth.ca/my-health/infectious-diseases/measles/
Writtten by Ian McCallum
