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Measles on the rise in WDGPH region
Posted: April 17, 2025
(April 16, 2025) By: Joanne Shuttleworth, The Wellington Advertiser
WELLINGTON COUNTY – The number of measles cases in the region is climbing, part of a concerning trend that’s happening across the province.
Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), reported at the April 2 board meeting that there were six confirmed cases of measles in the health unit’s region, “plus a number under investigation. So there are likely more,” she said.
By April 14 that number had risen to 14, communications specialist Danny Williams confirmed.
Provincially, more than 800 cases of measles have been reported.
Measles is a very contagious viral infection that spreads from person to person through airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing, etc.).
The measles virus can be active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for as long as two hours.
You can catch measles by being near an infected person, even if you’re in the same room for a short period.
Someone who is contagious with measles can spread it to others from four days before a rash appears to four days after the rash appears.
Measles is most common in children but can affect anyone who is not immune.
Symptoms include:
- fever;
- runny nose;
- cough;
- red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis);
- tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots); and
- red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads downward (generally starts three to seven days after symptoms begin).
There is a vaccine and students must have it to attend school.
“Measles vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles – one dose is 95% effective and two doses is 99% effective,” reads a statement on the WDGPH website.
Children typically get their first dose at 12 months and their second dose at age four to six.
But with growing vaccine hesitancy worldwide, cases of measles are on the rise, potentially increasing the risk for travellers.
Travelling
Public health recommends those who are travelling to make sure they have had the vaccine or to get one at least two weeks before travel.
Infants who are travelling can be vaccinated at age six months and children under four can receive an early second dose at least four weeks after the first dose.
“Ontario’s immunization rates are lower than our peer countries in Europe and are down since 2017,” states Dr. Dick Zoutman, a board member with the Ontario Health Coalition, in a press release.
The release states that Europe’s vaccination rates for measles are about 91 per cent and Denmark has rates of 93% while Ontario lags behind at 70%.
The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on public health to do a better job and raise vaccination rates.
WDGPH, meanwhile, urges everyone to keep their vaccinations up to date.
Visit wdgpublichealth.ca for more information.
