Ontario: Peterborough Measles Cases

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=986924

Two more measles cases found
Posted 1 hour ago

Two more probable cases of measles are being investigated by Peterborough County-City Health Unit.

The cases are linked to Chemong Public School as were two cases reported on the weekend, one of which has been confirmed, the health unit states in a release.

The initial case was linked to cases recently reported in Toronto.

Measles is a highly communicable viral infection that usually lasts about two weeks, the health unit states, and which can be passed through coughing, sneezing and talking.

Symptoms include fever, running nose, red watery eyes and cough, followed by a red blotchy rash staring on the head and face and spreading to the rest of the body, the unit states.

A person with measles is communicable from four days before to four days after the rash appears, the release states, and symptoms can develop seven to 21 days after contact with the virus.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Ontario: Peterborough Measles Cases

Source: http://www.mykawartha.com/news/article/28464

Another confirmed case of measles
Date: 2008-04-17
By Lindsey Cole
The local health unit has confirmed a second case of measles in the Peterborough area.
?All the cases that we have in Peterborough are associated with Chemong Public School,? says Edwina Gracias, manager of health protection at the local health unit.
Students and staff who do not have the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are not at school, as there may be a health risk.
?The health unit is still involved in contacting people that were exposed,? Ms Gracias explains.
She could not confirm the number of people that were exposed but did add the initial case of measles is linked to cases reported in Toronto. Along with the two confirmed cases of measles, there are also two other probable cases.
Ms Gracias couldn't say whether those with measles had been vaccinated because that information is confidential.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lasts about two weeks. It is airborne and spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing and even talking.
Ear infections, pneumonia and a brain infection can be complications from measles.
The disease is more severe in infants and adults over the age of 20.
The symptoms of measles include: fever, runny nose, red watery eyes, coughing, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the head and face then spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles is contagious four days before the rash appears to four days after the rash appears. Symptoms can develop seven to 21 days later.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is given in two doses. The first is given on or after the first birthday and the second is given about one month later. It will protect 99 per cent of people, the health unit states.
ptw

with files from Lauren Gilchrist