WECHU alerting residents over increase in Windsor-Essex measles cases

WECHU has issued a warning about the rising cases of measles in the region ahead of the Easter long weekend. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has more.

Measles has hit the Windsor-Essex area in rates not seen in years. The Windsor Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) said most of the cases are in the county.

“The majority of cases, reside in Leamington and Kingsville area,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, who noted there have been 69 cases since February, likely due to the unvaccination rate in the region.

He said it’s likely there are more unreported cases and worries measles will cross over to communities with higher unvaccination rates.

“We had cases who have been hospitalized so we have seen severe cases in Windsor-Essex. This is aligned with the province,” said Dr. Aloosh.

As of Wednesday, there have been over 900 cases reported in Ontario since mid-October. Our region broke 50 last week and has risen since.

Dr. Aloosh said infants and children under the age of five are mainly affected. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, rash, and in severe cases, the measles could be fatal.

“From our experience, youngers here in Windsor-Essex have been most affected severely going to the hospital,” Aloosh told CTV News.

He has seen an uptick in vaccinations because of the threat. Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily through coughing, sneezing, or talking to those that are unvaccinated.

With over half of the cases affecting school aged kids, students who have been exposed and do not have two doses of the vaccine or cannot prove immunity have been excused from school for 21 days from point of contact.

“If you have a school that has a large number of students that are unimmunized, then you may have a larger number that are excluded for the time being,” said Linda Watson, chief nursing officer at the health unit.

The Ontario schedule for vaccination is one shot at the age of one and a second dose between four and six years of age.

The health unit is asking residents to check their vaccination status in order to avoid illness and hospitalization, which has occurred during this outbreak.

“It’s my understanding that, if they’re under four years old, they can get the vaccine ahead of time. They just need to see their healthcare provider for assessment of risk, and then the healthcare provider makes that decision,” Watson said.

Dr. Aloosh pointed out the respiratory disease doesn’t come with a yearly cycle like other viruses do and is asking residents in advance of the Easter weekend to stay away from large gatherings and public places if you are experiencing any symptoms of measles.

Signage has been created and shared on the health unit website for those organizing these types of events to post at entrances of their respective facilities. To do their part in preventing the spread, residents should screen for symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or rash) before attending these types of events, as well as school or work. Symptoms can appear up to 21 days following an exposure and usually last for 1 to 2 weeks.

An online self-assessment tool can be found on the WECHU’s website which will provide next steps for those who may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms.