Waterloo Region’s public health unit has added seven more locations to its list of possible measles exposure sites. As of Wednesday, they include: Anyone who visited these locations, during the times indicated, are asked to monitor for measles symptoms until at least May 26. Three other locations, previously posted online, remain on the health unit’s list: “We continue to see increased transmission and community exposures in much of western Ontario, including Waterloo Region,” said Dr. Rabia Bana, the associate medical officer of health for the Region of Waterloo, in a media release. “Vaccination provides essential protection against measles and is the best way to protect you and your family from this serious illness.” Bana also said public health unit would be issuing final school suspensions for secondary school students on Thursday. Provincial response According to Public Health Ontario, there have been 1,243 confirmed and probable measles cases reported since mid-October. Most of those infections have been in southwestern Ontario, and nearly 77 per cent were in infants. Premier Doug Ford told reporters at Queen’s Park on Wednesday that the province is doing everything it can to fight the measles outbreak, despite the sharp increase in cases over the past few months. He said his government has made 150,000 units of the measles vaccine available to health units and spent $2 million on ads encouraging people to get their shot. Ontario’s NDP leader took the province to task on the matter. “This is a crisis,” Marit Stiles said at Queen’s Park. “What I’m hearing from the minister and from folks here in the legislature today in response to our questions was a pretty laissez-faire response.” The Liberal Party’s health critic also had harsh words for the premier. “This is a government that has thrown up its hands,” said Adil Shamji. “Implemented half-hearted, lukewarm measures and is trying to convince us that they care and that they’re doing something.” The same day, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph was identified as a high risk area for measles. Public health said there were 63 confirmed or probable cases as of Wednesday morning. Ontario’s minister of health defended the actions taken so far. “Over a year ago, [Ford] directed public health units to refocus their efforts on childhood vaccinations,” Sylvia Jones said. “Is that working?” asked a reporter. Jones replied: “I believe it is.” Both Ford and Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s chief medical officer of health, admitted more outreach was needed in communities where vaccines were rejected for religious reasons. “How do you force someone?” the premier asked. “Do you grab their kid and start jabbing them with a needle? It’s a problem, I agree, but we’re throwing everything and the kitchen sink at this.” What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the illness is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent measles from spreading to other patients.
