Case of measles confirmed east of Sault Ste. Marie

One person has tested positive for the measles, Algoma Public Health says, adding the person took the bus in Barrie, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

One person has tested positive for measles in their coverage area, Algoma Public Health said late Thursday afternoon.

“APH is conducting a thorough investigation and taking steps to prevent further spread of the virus in the community,” the health unit said in a news release.

“APH is actively monitoring the situation and is in contact with all identified close contacts.”

While only saying that the person is from Central Algoma, the health unit did say the person travelled on an Ontario Northland Bus on April 17 from Barrie to Greater Sudbury at 12:24 p.m.

And on the same day, they left Sudbury for Sault Ste. Marie at 8:40 p.m., also on an Ontario Northland Bus.

MMR vaccines effective

Most people born before 1970 are considered immune to measles from natural exposure, APH said.

“For those born in 1970 or later, two doses of a measles vaccine are recommended for full protection,” the release said.

“People who are vaccinated are very unlikely to get sick or spread measles if exposed.”

Those at higher risk of severe illness include infants and children under the age of five, pregnant individuals, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone who has not received the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

Symptoms of measles include runny nose, red, watery eyes, cough and fever. A red, blotchy rash appears three to five days after the exposure, starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body.

Most people recover without lasting complications, but sometimes people are left with ear or brain infections, vision and hearing loss and, in rare cases, death.

“Measles is extremely contagious — it can spread through the air and remain in the environment for up to two hours after an infected person has left,” Dr. John Tuinema, acting medical officer of health, said in the news release.

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“With increased measles activity in Ontario, this case serves as a reminder of how easily the virus can spread.”

In the Algoma district, 86.6 per cent of seven-year-olds and 96.5 per cent of 17-year-olds had received the MMR vaccine and were immune to measles.

For more information, call APH at 705-759-5409 or click here.