Huron County, ON – Measles has been making national news and the Huron County Health Unit is reminding residents to make sure their immunizations are up to date.
“Everyone born after 1970 needs to have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to protect themselves and their families,” says Public Health Nurse Ruth Ann Ogilvie. Ogilvie says that all healthcare workers should check their immunization status and consider an additional dose of MMR if not protected.
Measles is highly contagious and symptoms include a cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and fever, after about four days a rash starts on the face and moves down the body. Complications can include pneumonia, croup and an inflammation of the brain.
A total of 17 cases of measles have been reported in Ontario. Most cases can be linked to travel in areas such as the Philippines, Thailand and Europe.
National Immunization Week is April 26 to May 3 and the health unit also wants to encourage parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations are current. The province has changed what vaccinations are required for students to attend school. These changes take effect on July 1st, 2014. If your child has followed the Ontario Immunization Schedule they should have all required vaccinations.
Ogilvie invites anyone with questions about vaccinations or the diseases they prevent to call the health unit at 519-482-3416. Ask to speak to a public health nurse on the Infectious Disease team.
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Creating Healthy Communities Together
TO FIND OUT MORE…
Our media contact is: Barbara Leavitt, Communications Co-ordinator, Huron County Health Unit, 519-482-3416 or toll-free 1-877-837-6143
The Communications Co-ordinator will connect you to our spokesperson on this topic: RuthAnn Ogilvie, Public Health Nurse