Canada eliminated measles in the late 1990s, so health officials are investigating how four unrelated cases of the disease cropped up in the country’s largest city, Toronto. The virus does not spread in Canada on a continuous basis but there are occasional outbreaks.
From January 27 to 31, two children under two year old and two adults in Toronto were diagnosed with the highly infectious disease. They all from different families
Most recover, some die
Measles causes a distinctive, widespread red rash and can cause a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. While most people recover fully one in 20 children will develop pneumonia. Complications can include permanent brain damage and deafness and three out of one thousand infected children will die.
The illness was widespread in Canada before 1970 when a vaccine became available. Public health officials say people should check the vaccination booklets they are given, to ensure they have had the initial MMR vaccine (against measles, mumps and rubella) plus a second, booster shot.
Some avoid vaccination
Most Canadian children receive a routine series of vaccinations against about 12 diseases paid for by the government. But there are some parents who refuse to have their children immunized based on religious belief or fears the shots are unsafe. Multiple scientific studies prove vaccinations are safe. A past study linking vaccines with autism has been scientifically proven to be wrong.
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