Ontario measles cases climb up to 572, public health reports

Ontario public health officials are reporting over 100 new measles cases, bringing the total count to 572 confirmed and suspected infections since the outbreak began in October.

Investigators were able to trace the cause of the outbreak to a travel-related case in New Brunswick in October 2024. Since then, Ontario has seen a rapid increase of the virus in multiple jurisdictions across the province.

Public health officials are saying the outbreak is spreading like wildfire through people who have not been immunized against the measles.

The majority of cases are in Grand Erie and Southwestern public health units. However, cases continue to rise in Waterloo, Chatham-Kent and Huron Perth.

Officials are encouraging the public to stay up-to-date on their vaccinations, as immunization is the most effective way to avoid contracting the virus.

As case numbers continued to climb in March, over 2,500 students were suspended from high schools in Hamilton for missing or outdated vaccine records. An additional 400 were suspended from Grand Erie schools for the same reason.

While many of the suspended students have updated their vaccination records and returned to school, 578 are still barred from going back to classes.

Out of all the measles cases in Ontario, 76 per cent were in infants, children and adolescents. Of the children that got sick, 93 per cent were unvaccinated against the measles virus.

READ MORE: Public Health Ontario reporting 120 more measles cases since March 14