Measles case confirmed at local health centre

Health officials at Grey Bruce Public Health reported on Friday that they received laboratory confirmation of a measles case in an unvaccinated child.

Health officials at Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) reported on Friday that they received laboratory confirmation of a measles case in an unvaccinated child.

In a media release by GBPH, officials say their contract-tracing investigation has yet to identify any public places in Grey-Bruce where community members could have been exposed to the virus. They have also not identified any exposure risks in local schools linked to the case.

GBPH confirmed that the patient and other members of their household are isolating at home.

“GBPH has been in contact with the family and relevant healthcare partners and managing this situation since we received the report of measles-related symptoms,” said Ian Arra, CEO and medical officer at GBPH, in the media release. “We are grateful to the affected family for their efforts to maintain isolation and protect the public while awaiting test results. At this point in our investigation, we believe the risk of transmitting the virus from this case to others has been well contained.”

Public Health Ontario defines measles as a highly contagious respiratory virus with symptoms that include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes and a cough.

Officials say the case at GBPH is the only household member who has not been vaccinated for measles. They believe it is linked to the ‘ongoing, multi-jurisdictional’ measles outbreak in southern Ontario. No symptoms were reported by the other family members in the household.

GBPH says the efficacy of double vaccinations against measles is nearly 100 per cent, and the risk of acquiring measles in Grey-Bruce remains low for those who are vaccinated against the virus.

The province’s vaccine schedule offers the first dose of the measles vaccine for children at age one and the second when they are between the ages of four and six.

Vaccination is also publicly funded for adults who have never been vaccinated.