Ontario has recorded 173 new measles cases in recent weeks, bringing the total to 350 since 2024, the highest number in over a decade.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says more than 96 percent of cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or have unknown immunization status, with a majority concentrated in southwestern Ontario.
Locally, Huron Perth Public Health advised residents of a potential measles exposure at Stratford General Hospital’s emergency room on March 9, 2025 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Anyone born in 1970 or later who isn’t fully vaccinated should contact public health, as measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a blotchy rash that spreads from the face down the body. Health officials stress that vaccination is the best defense, with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine providing nearly complete protection.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should stay home, avoid contact with others, and call their healthcare provider before seeking medical attention to prevent further spread. More information is available through Huron Perth Public Health.