A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. The highly contagious, airborne disease totalled more than 5,100 cases over the past year.Geoff Robins/The Associated Press
Measles, a virus considered to have been eliminated in Canada in 1998, has made a comeback in this country.
On Monday, the Pan American Health Organization, a regional arm of the World Health Organization, declared that Canada has lost its measles elimination status after failing to interrupt transmission within one year of an outbreak.
Canada’s outbreak began last October in New Brunswick after a traveller from Thailand unknowingly infected guests at a wedding in Florenceville. The virus then spread quickly between provinces, totalling more than 5,100 cases over the past year, including the deaths of two infants who contracted measles in utero and were born prematurely. Ontario and Alberta were hardest-hit.
Ontario announced that its outbreak ended on Oct. 6. There are still sporadic cases in places such as Alberta and Manitoba.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease. It can result in serious health complications that, while rare, include respiratory failure, encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, and death.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that looks like red spots or blotchy patches, which starts on the face and spreads down the body, arms and legs.
While measles is often associated with a rash, it takes time for this to appear (usually about three to seven days after symptoms begin). This means the virus can often be mistaken for a cold or flu. The rash typically lasts about four to seven days.
Individuals with measles are considered to be infectious from four days before the onset of a rash until four days after its appearance.
Most individuals recover from measles within two or three weeks. It is considered to be a vaccine-preventable disease. The first measles vaccine was licensed in Canada in 1963.
How does it spread?
The virus is spread by air and through contact with respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth, such as when an infected person breathes, coughs, speaks or sneezes.
Health Canada says it can persist on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the space. Those who recover from the virus are considered to have lifelong immunity.
What do medical professionals advise parents who suspect their kids may have measles?
Most people who become infected with the virus are able to recover at home, but severe cases may require hospitalization. Medical professionals say it is important to call ahead if medical intervention is necessary to allow for health care providers to make arrangements to see patients without spreading measles to others.
How is measles treated?
There is not a specific antiviral treatment that is available to treat a measles infection. Physicians suggest medications can be used to help alleviate symptoms, such as a fever, and advise patients to get lots of rest and to drink fluids.
What is the existing vaccination schedule?
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is considered to be a routine childhood vaccination.
A first dose is recommended after a child’s first birthday, at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is usually given before a child starts school (between ages 4 and 6). However, the minimum interval between doses is only four weeks.
If I am an adult, should I consider getting an MMR vaccine booster?
Adults born after 1970 who live in or will be travelling to a place where measles is circulating may want to consider getting a booster if they’ve only had one dose.
Public health experts suggest adults should check vaccination records to determine if they’ve had one shot or two. A widespread immunization program for infants was introduced in 1983, when a single dose was given to children at one year of age.
A second dose was added to the program in 1996, and a large catch-up campaign was launched to give the second shot to all school-aged children, says Public Health Ontario.
What should I do if my child is under the age of 1?
Health professionals say some protection is offered to young babies because of an antibody transfer that takes places during pregnancy.
Typically, children receive a dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age, but in some instances, such as during an outbreak, health officials may suggest a dose prior to their first birthday. Babies who receive a shot before they turn 1 would still need two more shots to be fully protected against the measles.