![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976186.1721847997!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Health officials renew call to check vaccination status as measles cases spread worldwide
Heading into the spring and summer travel season, health officials continue to urge parents to ensure their children are up to date with measles vaccinations.
Following a fourth case of the virus reported in the province, Public Health Ontario sent a memo to all municipal health units regarding the risk of current global measles activity, and stressed the importance of routine immunization.
The last case of measles in Ottawa was back in 2019, but with the March break approaching, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is asking travellers to check up on their family's immunization records.
"At least six-weeks' time in advance of travel allows you the chance to get a vaccine if you're not up to date, while also having the time for it to achieve peak effectiveness," said Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Laura Bourns.
Dr. Bourns says the measles vaccine is between 85 and 95 per cent effective – a second dose brings it close to 100 per cent.
According to Public Health Ontario, immunization rates in children have declined below pre-pandemic levels. The 2021 to 2022 school year saw 59 per cent of seven-year-olds receiving both doses of the measles vaccine — down from the 2019-2020 school year, which saw 85 per cent coverage.
For those not immune to measles, up to 90 per cent can be infected, said Dr. Bourns.
As an airborne virus, measles can remain in the air up to two hours after an infected individual has left. It has been called one of the most transmissible diseases on the planet.
Initial symptoms of measles include:
- fever
- red watery eyes
- runny nose
- cough
- followed by a rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body
Dr. Bourns says complications can arise after the initial infection.
"That can be things like secondary bacterial infections or more permanent complications like deafness, brain damage or in some cases even death."
Those most at-risk groups are unvaccinated infants, pregnant people, and those who are immunocompromised.
The measles vaccine can be accessed at primary health care providers, walk-in clinics and travel clinics.
Residents can learn more about the virus at the Ottawa Public Health site.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.