1) Measles case confirmed in Simcoe Muskoka, three possible exposure locations in Barrie

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, March 19, 2025

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has received confirmation that an unvaccinated resident of Simcoe Muskoka has tested positive for measles.

Individuals who were present at the following locations during the listed times may have been exposed to measles:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10:55 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:

Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

Georgian Radiology at Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

Eagle Ridge Pharmacy (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will be calling anyone who had booked appointments at Huronia Urgent Care Clinic or Georgian Radiology at above-mentioned locations during those specified times.  

Additionally, anyone who visited the Eagle Ridge Pharmacy between 10:55 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12, 2025 may have been exposed to measlesand are asked tocall us at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The health unit advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus to do the following: 

• Monitor for signs and symptoms of measles which begin 7 to 21 days after exposure.
• Even individuals who are up to date with the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure. Symptoms of measles include:
  • Fever, runny nose, cough
  • Drowsiness, and red eyes
  • Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present.
  • Three to seven days after symptoms start, a red, blotchy rash typically appears on the face and then spreads down the body.
  • One can be infectious 4 days prior and 4 days after onset of rash.  
• Confirm that you and your family members have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV); those born before 1970 would likely have had measles illness as a child and are protected. Those not protected against measles with these measures should contact their health care provider regarding vaccination.
• If you develop symptoms:
  • Isolate immediately by staying home (do not go to school or work) and avoid contact with others.
  • Call before going to going to a clinic or hospital, so they can prepare for your arrival to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality face mask when seeking medical care.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

“Measles is a serious and highly transmittable infection that can cause life-long complications,” says Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU’s medical officer of heath. “Vaccination against measles is the most effective preventive measure we have available, with the risk of measles to those who are vaccinated with two doses being very low, and in the rare case when it does occur among a vaccinated individual, it tends to reduce the severity of symptoms.”

People who do get sick usually recover without treatment, but measles can be more severe for infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Possible complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and occasionally death in the very young.

The health unit is advising individuals and families to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines and to remain watchful for symptoms even if vaccinated against measles. 

For more information about measles, please visit smdhu.org/measles or call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

2) (Update) Ontario sees another sharp rise in measles cases while outbreaks grow in Quebec, Alberta

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Hannah Alberga, March 20, 2025

There’s been another sharp increase in Ontario measles cases as the province begins to release weekly reports on the infectious disease.

Public Health Ontario is reporting 470 measles cases since an outbreak began in October. That’s an increase of 120 cases since March 14.

The spread resulted in 34 hospitalizations, including two people who needed intensive care. Most of those hospitalized were unvaccinated kids, including one of the intensive care patients.

The outbreak expansion adds to the growing concern of rising measles cases in different parts of the country, including in Quebec where there are 40 cases and Alberta where there are 13, according to the latest data.

Dr. Sarah Wilson, a public health physician at Public Health Ontario, said reining in the spread won’t happen overnight, and that the challenge of boosting immunization efforts falls on the shoulders of local public health units.

“I don’t expect that this current outbreak is going to continue indefinitely. I think that vaccination will be the way which we control the outbreak,” Wilson said.

That also includes debunking misleading information about measles. Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health at Southwestern Public Health, addressed one of these misconceptions at a media briefing Thursday, addressing the idea that getting infected with measles will result in immunity.

“While getting measles can result in natural immunity, carrying measles can result in significant health risks, including pneumonia, brain infections and brain swelling,” Tran said.

He also highlighted the potential for long lasting neurological problems measles can cause.

The majority of cases are still located in the Southwestern Public Health region, where almost half of the cases are reported, and neighbouring Grand Erie, which has almost 24 per cent.

Nine per cent of the province’s cases are now in Huron Perth, a region that includes Stratford and Goderich, rising from 3.7 per cent last week. Local public health officials have deemed it an area of concern.

On Monday, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported a confirmed local case of measles in an unvaccinated person.

Individuals who were present at the following locations during the listed times may have been exposed to measles:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10:55 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:

Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

Georgian Radiology at Huronia Urgent Care Clinic (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

Eagle Ridge Pharmacy (480 Huronia Road, Barrie)

As a resident of Listowel in Huron Perth, Andrea Charest said a hyper local approach is needed in the community. Charest, co-founder and executive director for social organization It Takes a Village, said that means ensuring people have transportation to reach a clinic, and awareness of where those clinics are.

“I also think that we need to be sure that we’re showing kindness and support to folks if their vaccination is not up to date because I think sometimes too, there’s that element of shame and embarrassment … we have to have care and compassion when we’re navigating these situations with people. Otherwise people are not going to be able to come forward comfortably and say, ‘I need some help with this,'” she said.

In Quebec, an outbreak began in December with most cases reported in Laurentides region, well-known for skiing. Hockey fans who went to a Montreal Canadiens game earlier this month are still being asked to monitor for symptoms.

In Alberta, most cases are in the province’s north, but measles also reached the southern area of Taber this week after a traveller coming from Toronto visited several spots while infectious.

Ontario now puts out a weekly report after previously publishing case numbers biweekly, while Alberta has started releasing data daily from Monday to Friday.

Wilson said the move to weekly reporting was done to reflect the fact that case counts are “changing quite frequently,” given that measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. The World Health Organization says the virus can remain active in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours.

It usually begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body and limbs. The virus can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death.

Files – Barrie 360

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