Health minister defends province’s approach amid worsening measles outbreak

Health Minister Sylvia Jones is defending the province’s record against measles as new infections rise sharply.

The latest public health data released last week shows 223 new infections across Ontario in the previous week.

That brings the total number of people in the province who have fallen ill from the virus to 1,243 since October. That includes 84 people who have been hospitalized, 63 of them children.

Jones says Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore has been helping local public health units where the outbreaks are occurring.

“I know that Dr. Moore’s work is making a difference because he is focusing on the public health units that are experiencing those outbreaks and ensuring they have the support they need,” Jones remarked on Wednesday.

She says Moore directed health units to focus on vaccinating children over a year ago.

Opposition parties and some health officials have slammed Ontario’s approach to the growing outbreak.

Region of Waterloo Public Health has added Conestoga Mall to its list of potential exposure locations.

The timeframe is between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that usually begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body. 

Anyone who was at the Waterloo mall that day during those hours should monitor for symptoms until May 13. More information can be found by clicking here.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health has also issued a new advisory about a potential measles exposure in its jurisdiction, at the Guelph Medical Place Pharmacy on Dawson Road on Thursday, May 1, between 1 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Public health officials are urging people to ensure they are vaccinated against measles, which carries the risk of serious complications.