Public health officials say Ontario is in the midst of its largest measles outbreak in almost 30 years.
New cases reported last week bring the province's total this year to just over 140, far surpassing the 101 total infections recorded in the province between 2013 and 2023.
Canada eliminated measles in 1998, a status that is achieved when there is low level of transmission for at least a year and 90 to 95 per cent vaccination coverage. But as fewer parents choose to get their children immunized against measles, Canada is at risk of losing that status.
Dr. Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist and associate professor of medicine at McMaster University, was a recent guest on our Inside the Village podcast. She said because measles was eliminated so many decades ago, there is a misconception that isn't a serious threat.
"Measles is the opposite of a harmless childhood infection," Bowdish said. "It is the polar opposite."
One of the most contagious diseases in the world, measles can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death. In Texas, an unvaccinated child recently became the first in the United States to die of measles in the past decade.
You can watch Dr. Bowdish's full interview HERE.
Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.
Every episode is available HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.
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