Ontario reports spike in measles cases linked to NB exposure

The cluster of measles cases in Ontario linked to exposure in New Brunswick has reached 37, according to public health officials.

Of those, 11 are confirmed and 26 are probable, according to Public Health Ontario.

In a summary of the outbreak released last week, the public health agency said cases began in October and that 28 of those sickened so far were children or teenagers.

The public health agency says all but two of the cases were in unvaccinated people.

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Ontario has seen a sharp spike in the vaccine-preventable virus this year, with 63 cases — including eight hospitalizations and one death.

Public Health Ontario says there were 101 confirmed cases of measles in the province between 2013 and 2023, and no more than 22 cases in a year.

Last year, there were only seven cases of the virus, which is highly contagious.

Symptoms include fever, rash, red eyes, and cough.