February 20, 2015
As of Friday, February 20, 2015, York Region has confirmed one case of measles. This case is one of several confirmed cases recently identified across Ontario.
This individual in York Region who had measles was not in contact with any of the cases identified across Ontario and did not travel outside of Ontario prior to rash onset.
At this time, though the risk to the general public related to this case is considered low, measles is a highly infectious disease and 95 per cent of the community needs to have immunity in order to prevent its spread.
York Region strongly encourages all residents born in 1970 or later to get vaccinated. The two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine are effective for 98 per cent of individuals. Speak to your physician about your immunization status and bring it up to date, if necessary.
Measles is one of the most easily transmitted infectious diseases. It is spread from person-to-person by droplets or direct contact with nasal and throat secretions (from sneezing, coughing and talking) of an infected person. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone with measles has left the room.
The symptoms of measles develop approximately one to three weeks after exposure and include fever, cough, red watery eyes, and a red blotchy rash. Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death. A person with measles can infect others from four days before to four days after the onset of the rash. Most people who get the measles are sick for approximately 10 days and recover completely without the need for any treatment.
If you have not received your MMR vaccinations and would like to, or are concerned you may have been exposed to measles, please contact your family physician. The measles vaccine is available free-of-charge.
For more information about measles or how to protect yourself, please view and download York Region Public Health’s
Measles Factsheet.