1 case of measles confirmed in Guelph area, warns local public health
A person with measles from outside the region attended an event in Guelph in February
Measles is circulating in the Guelph area after a local case of the virus was confirmed by public health Monday.
In addition, a person from outside the region with a confirmed case of measles attended an event in Guelph last month, said a release Monday from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
"This is part of a trend of increasing cases of measles identified in multiple jurisdictions across Ontario," said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer in the release.
"Measles is extremely contagious – particularly among unvaccinated people – and can be very dangerous, especially for infants under one year of age. With March Break on the horizon, it is important to be vigilant and protect yourself and your family."
Measles can spread through the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes and can remain active for two hours after that person has left.
It can spread to other people even before the infected person starts to show symptoms, public health warned.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Runny nose.
- Cough.
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis/pink eye).
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik's spots).
- Red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads over the rest of the body.
Public health is urging people to get vaccinated if they aren't already.
"With two doses, the vaccine is nearly 100 [per cent] effective at preventing measles," the release said.