Measles Cases in Ontario Climb Sharply, Approaching 1,800
Ontario’s measles outbreak continues to intensify, with Public Health Ontario reporting 173 new infections in just the past week. Since the outbreak began last October, the province has recorded 1,795 cases, marking one of the most significant surges in recent years.
Outbreak Hits Unvaccinated Youth Hardest
Dr. Sarah Wilson, a public health physician at the agency, stressed that almost all new cases are among people who are unvaccinated or have unknown immunization status. Alarmingly, three-quarters of those infected are under 20 years old, putting babies, children, and teens at the center of the crisis.
Hospitalizations on the Rise
The latest report notes that 129 people have been hospitalized during the outbreak, with 10 requiring intensive care. This week alone saw 10 new hospital admissions linked to measles complications.
Southwestern Ontario Remains the Epicenter
While cases have emerged across a dozen public health units, the outbreak is most severe in southwestern Ontario. Oxford County, Elgin County, and St. Thomas—covered by the Southwestern Public Health unit—reported 98 of this week’s new cases. Other affected regions include Huron Perth (22 cases), Grand Erie (14 cases), and Chatham-Kent (10 cases).
School Closures and Wider Spread
Earlier this month, two secondary schools in Waterloo Region temporarily closed after confirming measles cases. The outbreak is part of a broader trend, with Alberta also reporting over 500 cases since March.
As Ontario’s measles outbreak nears 1,800 cases, health officials urge vaccination to protect vulnerable children and curb the virus’s relentless spread.
