With March Break fast approaching, Canadian health officials are urging travellers to ensure their measles vaccinations are up-to-date.
After an explosion of measles cases in Europe, CBC news reports, medical experts warn it’s just a "question of time" before outbreaks happen in Canada, thanks to high rates of global travel and low rates of vaccinations.
Toronto's first reported case of measles this year was linked to travel, involving an infant who required hospitalization in February. Since then, four cases in children have been confirmed in Ontario. All of whom had recently travelled abroad.
CTV reports that 17 measles cases have been confirmed in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia as of 05MAR.
Speaking with CTV News Toronto, York Region's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barry Pakes, said, "Measles is extremely transmissible. It's much more transmissible than even the most transmissible version of COVID-19." He added that the disease can survive as long as two hours after someone with measles has left the room.
"We know a very small degree of measles that has circulated somewhere in the community in the (Greater Toronto Area), potentially in York Region here, which is where this person got it. That means potentially there may be other folks who may have been exposed."
Due to the highly transmissible nature of the airborne virus, Health Canada recommends that 95% of the population should be vaccinated to prevent community spread. However, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Toronto General Hospital, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, told CityNews that coverage has dropped, and unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations will be at risk. He suggests that missed routine doses of a childhood vaccine due to the pandemic may be a contributing factor. Dr. Bogoch also mentioned that some people may have only received one dose of the measles vaccine and believe they are fully vaccinated since the second dose was added in 1996.
Health officials encourage people to check their vaccination record cards or consult their healthcare provider to ensure protection against measles.
According to experts, measles has a long incubation period, and symptoms may not appear until weeks later. Before the rash appears, the symptoms of measles can be similar to those of a cold or flu. In children, the virus can cause severe health problems, such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain.
While the routine schedule for measles vaccination is at age one and again between four and six years old, children under 12 months of age may not have protection.
Ontario's Medical Officer of Health warned public health units in a memo to prepare for potential measles outbreaks amid a rising infection rates in Europe. The memo acknowledges that outbreaks can happen when unvaccinated individuals travel to countries where measles is circulating and then return to Canada.
The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, expressed his concern over the confirmation of a single case of measles in B.C. He stated that the news is "terrifying" for parents of infants and criticized individuals spreading false information about vaccines. Eby emphasized that without adequate vaccination, infants in the province are at risk of severe illness, and it is essential to prioritize their health and safety.
