Quebec public health calls measles a 'threat' in the province
In a letter to physicians, Montreal Public Health confirmed a case of measles was reported in Laval this week.
It is the third known case in the Montreal region since the start of February.
"What is concerning us a lot is that there might have been so far one case that has been in inducing the transmission in the community," said Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau.
Thanks to a successful vaccination campaign, measles was eliminated in Canada in 1998.
That means that there were zero transmissions within the country.
However, cases are on the rise around the world, and in Quebec, vaccine levels have started to drop.
"We became complacent, and as a result of that, you start having clusters of cases," said infectious disease specialist Dr. Donald Vinh.
Vinh said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are seeing more vaccine skepticism and fatigue.
"Measles is the one that can capitalize on that; a decline in vaccination rates because it is such a transmissible virus and because globally there are still hot hotspots or pockets of measles in other parts of the world," he said.
Ahead of March Break, public health is urging Quebecers to double-check their vaccine status and make sure they are immunized before travelling abroad.
Speaking about Canadians who might travel to down south, Boileau said, "Then they're in Florida where there are many cases and some might be exposed and come back with that infection. This is a threat that we are looking at very seriously."
To prevent circulation, experts say that at least 95 per cent of the population needs to be fully vaccinated.
In Quebec, the rate has slipped to somewhere in the mid 80s.
Public health is most concerned about the fact that there are some schools where vaccination rates are even lower.
"We have some schools that are very low and we have to really promote the vaccination quite fast," said Boileau.
On Thursday, parents received a letter from public health warning of two recent cases in Montreal in a single school.
"It's scary," said English Parents Committee Association President Katherine Korakakis. "That's what we're hearing, and it just seems like it doesn't end. There's one thing after another."
Measles can cause paralysis, brain damage and even death in young children. Two shots of the vaccine is nearly 100 per cent effective in preventing infection.
In addition, immunity lasts a lifetime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.