Measles-infected newborn dies in southwest Ontario
Measles-infected newborn dies in southwest Ontario
The Ministry of Health of Ontario has announced the first recorded death of a measles patient from the current outbreak starting in October.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Moore issued a statement on Thursday, stating that a south -western Ontario baby died after being born prematurely and infected with highly infectious virus through mother.
Moore offered some other details.
The south -western public health, which covers Oxford and Elgin Counties, confirmed that the child was from a community in his coverage area.
Moore wrote, “The infant had contracted the virus before his mother, who did not get measles, kanthamala and rubella (MMR) vaccine.” “While measles may be a contribution factor in premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.
“Outside the honor of family confidentiality, no more personal or medical details will be shared.”
This death is the first in this outbreak, which involves the possible and confirmed cases in the final count, Tuesday, 2009, as it began on October 28, according to the Ministry.
This is only the death related to another measles that the province has seen in decades, A untouched child from Hamilton who was under five years of age died In May 2024.
Current outbreak detected marriage
Earlier, Moore shared that this outbreak in Ontario was back in a menonite wedding in New Breanswick, and is mainly spreading to the Menonite and Amish communities where the vaccinations lags behind. Most of those cases are in South -Western Ontario.
Measles-infected newborn dies in southwest Ontario
Health officials have said that the counting of the official case in the current outbreak is lower than the actual number.
Case counts have been the highest among the areas covered by South-Western Public Health, Chautham-Kent Public Health, Huran-Public Health, Grand Eri Public Health and Windser-ASEX County Health Unit.
In May alone, 79 people were detected measles by South -Western public health, which is the biggest case in the province so far. The health unit had less than seventy -five percent of the patients.
Measles viruses are the most risk -at -risk children, health officials warned during the entire outbreak.
Moore wrote in release on Thursday, “measles especially in the early stages of life and infants create a serious risk.” “Anyone who is unnatural is at risk and I urge everyone, but especially those who can be pregnant, to ensure that they have got two doses of MMR vaccine, which will protect both a parents and children. The vaccine has been safely used for 50 years and is highly effective. Two doses provide about 100 percent protection.”
Officials in public health sectors affected by the outbreak have told reporters that they have distributed the message to rural communities in various languages and inserted resources through outreach to the trust leaders.
Moore said that measles is one of the most infectious known diseases. Complications from infection may include pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature birth and death.
Those seeking vaccination are urged to contact their local health units.
