Peel Region health officials have confirmed that Mississauga has been hit by measles, as the total number of cases in the province nears its highest in a decade.
In a news release Tuesday, Peel Public Health confirmed its second case of measles this year. Officials did not say how the man was infected, but provided a location where members of the public may have been infected.
Anyone who was at Silver Creek Convenience and Healthcare Medical Clinic on May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Trillium on May 10 at 9:15 a.m. and May 11 at 6:15 p.m. The following people were at Health Partners' Mississauga site emergency room: People are encouraged to contact Peel Public Health immediately at 905-799-7700.
Officials warn that measles is easily transmitted to people who are unvaccinated or who have never had measles. Infants, unvaccinated pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.
Symptoms begin 7 to 21 days after infection and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes that are sensitive to light, and a red rash that lasts 4 to 7 days.
Ontario measles case count nears highest level in 10 years
As of May 8, there are 21 confirmed measles cases in Ontario. The last time the state had more than 20 cases was in 2014, when there were 22 cases.
According to Public Health Ontario (PHO), more than half of this year's infections were among children. All but one of the 13 children who contracted the virus had not been vaccinated, and one child's vaccination status was unknown.
The PHO said five children were hospitalized, one of whom had to be admitted to intensive care. No deaths were reported.
Regarding adult cases, three were previously vaccinated, two were unvaccinated, and three had unknown status.
Of the 21 cases, 15 were travel-related, five were related to confirmed cases, and one had an unknown source of infection.
“Measles outbreaks are rare in Ontario due to Canada's high immunization rates and success in measles elimination. As a result, measles cases are typically travel-related,” the PHO said. “As measles activity increases globally, we are starting to see an increase in measles cases in Ontario.”
Between January 1 and May 4, 913 people were tested for acute measles, with 2.2% testing positive.
There are 69 confirmed measles cases in Canada as of April 27.
