At least 16 confirmed cases of measles in Brantford area, public health officials declare outbreak

There are 16 confirmed cases of measles in the Brantford area, most affecting children, according to the Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) unit.

Acting medical officer of health at the GEPH, Dr. Malcolm Lock, told reporters on Wednesday in a joint media briefing with Southwestern Public Health, that number was likely to change.

As of Wednesday, 13 of the 16 confirmed cases were children, he said, and 15 were associated with Haldimand-Norfolk while one was associated with Brantford.

Lock said that due to the "rapidly increasing" number of cases, GEPH is now calling it an outbreak and 12 to 18 people could get the illness if one infected person went into a susceptible group.

"I can't emphasize more the contagiousness of this disease and the fact that we should take as many precautions as we can," he said.

Preventative measures, Lock said, include vaccinations, which could give up to 85 per cent immunity to the disease with one dose and 100 per cent immunity with two.

He said people born before 1970 are "considered immune."

"We would encourage people, especially in the areas where these outbreaks are occurring, or the cases are occurring, that they should really check their vaccination records and make sure that they've had their two doses," he said.

In a press release, Six Nations of the Grand River said the public could have been exposed at Bethel Baptist School in Simcoe, between Jan. 20 and 21 and at the Grey Gretzky Medical Centre in Brantford on Jan. 22 between 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Last week, GEPH also warned of six other possible exposures to the virus in places like Brantford, Simcoe and Tillsonburg.

Lock said anyone who has been exposed to measles should stay home and avoid "high-risk settings" such as "doctor's offices, child care facilities, hospitals, emergency rooms, etc."

"If they really feel that they're having symptoms, then they should really isolate themselves at home for around 21 days," he added.

Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health at Southwestern Public Health, said it's "critical" that those experiencing symptoms and who have concerns they may have contracted measles call ahead before visiting any healthcare facility.

"This is a critical step that allows the healthcare providers and their institutions to prepare for the arrival and reduce the chance that others will be exposed to the illness," he said on Wednesday.

Symptoms of measles include a "red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, upper respiratory type symptoms, along with red eyes and fatigue."