Measles cases increasing around the world, health unit advising protection

A measles vaccination dose is shown. (File)

With March Break around the corner and people making plans for travelling and gathering with loved ones, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is using this time to remind families to make sure their children’s immunization records are up to date, particularly when it comes to measles.

The SMDHU is urging parents and their children to get vaccinated with measles, mumps and rubella.

The health unit warns if people don’t have these vaccines, they could get be denied access to child care, school or work over a certain period if the disease breaks out in the community.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer and the health unit say travelling can increase the risk of exposure to the disease and that children should be receiving the vaccine at ages one and four.

People should have two doses of the measles vaccine by age five, according to the health unit.

The health unit says measles affects young children mostly but anyone who is not fully vaccinated can be at risk.

Measles continues to spread around the world including in Canada, with Health Canada reporting 192 measles cases in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec combined.

The virus spreads when someone who is infected coughs and sneezes, with the virus floating in the air for up to two hours.

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, irritability, red eyes and sometimes white spots in the mouth. People with the disease will get a blotchy, red rash on their face that spreads to their body.

Immunization clinics are in Barrie, Collingwood, Cookstown, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Midland and Orillia.

For those looking to book an appointment for a vaccination, they can do so online.