2 new cases of measles in the Laurentians, 24 cases total in Quebec

The measles outbreak that started last December in Quebec continues to see some cases added. Although there has been no explosion in the number of cases for the time being. In all, there have been 24 cases of measles in the province.

Two new cases in the Laurentians were reported to public health on Feb. 18. This is the region most affected, with 17 cases, but the Montreal, Laval, and Montérégie regions are also affected.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease. A single case can infect 16 unprotected people. The main symptoms are high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and general malaise, followed by rashes on the face and body.

Measles can also lead to serious complications, particularly for babies, including blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death.

At a Santé Québec press briefing on Feb. 14, the province’s Public Health Director, Dr. Luc Boileau, was already reporting an increase in the number of cases in recent weeks.

“We are seriously concerned about the development of measles,” said Dr. Boileau, explaining that his main concern was that measles was circulating in communities and “entering schools” since many children had not been vaccinated.

Since there is no cure for measles, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated, says Public Health. Under Quebec’s vaccination schedule, children receive the vaccine at 12 and 18 months, but it can be given free of charge at any age.

If you have not been vaccinated and have been in contact with a case of measles, you should isolate yourself at home from the fifth day after exposure until the 14th day inclusive. Individuals are not contagious for the first four days following exposure.

For each case of measles reported in Quebec, a public health investigation is carried out to determine the origin of the infection and to identify people at risk of having been exposed to measles.

“Our concern is that there are starting to be cases where we are having difficulty linking them to others. This means that it can circulate a bit in the community,” explained Dr. Boileau.

Ontario is also experiencing a measles outbreak. As of Feb. 12, there have been 57 confirmed cases and six probable cases of measles in Ontario.

There are no other Canadian provinces with outbreaks, according to the latest data from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Although measles has been eliminated in Canada, it remains endemic in other countries and, as a result, imported cases continue to break out and spread the disease.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews