Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph officially named a ‘risk area’ for measles

The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health building on Chancellors Way in Guelph is pictured on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. (Brian Dunseith / CTV Kitchener)

As cases of measles continue to climb across the province, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph is now being identified as a risk area.

The determination was made following a consultation process between the local public health agency and provincial officials.

Now that the decision has been made, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph is encouraging parents and guardians to consider vaccinating their children against measles earlier.

Children from six-months-of-age and older can now receive their first dose of the vaccine, instead of waiting until after their first birthday. It is still recommended that all children receive two doses after turning one-years-old to ensure long-term protection, even if they received an early dose.

Meanwhile, children who have received their first vaccination can get a second shot as early as four weeks after their first dose.

“While this designation from the province highlights the overall measles risk to our community, it does not change our core guidance,” Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, the associate medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, said in a news release Wednesday. “I am strongly encouraging every person to review their measles vaccine status and – if necessary – get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

As of Wednesday morning, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph had 63 confirmed or probable cases of measles.

What is the precedent for early vaccination?

Vaccinating children as young as six-months-old is not a new concept.

In the past, medical professionals may have recommended an early dose to people travelling to places with higher rates of measles, typically, overseas.

When measles cases were considered to be fairly rare across the province, the illness stopped being a serious concern due to a drop in infections.

In Wednesday’s release, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health urged families to talk to their health care provider or public health about an early first or second vaccine dose.

Southwestern Public Health, serving Oxford County, Elgin County and the city of St. Thomas, and Grand Erie Public Health, serving Brant County, Brantford, Haldimand County and Norfolk County, began encouraging early doses back in February as the health units struggled to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Measles symptoms

Measles 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.