Doctors Concerned as Severe Form of Measles Causing Hospitalization of Many Children in Ontario, Canada

Medical News: Rising Cases and Growing Concerns
A severe measles outbreak in Ontario, Canada, is causing increasing concern among doctors and public health officials. The outbreak has led to a sharp rise in hospitalizations, with many children suffering from serious complications. As of March the 6th, there are 224 confirmed cases in just Ontario alone, with hundreds more suspected. Public health experts warn that the actual number of infections is likely much higher, as many families are isolating at home without reporting their cases.


Doctors Concerned as Severe Form of Measles Causing Hospitalization of Many Children in Ontario, Canada

The affected regions include Southwestern Ontario, where St. Thomas, Brantford, Woodstock, and Norfolk County have reported significant numbers. According to officials:
 
-136 cases have been confirmed in the Southwestern Public Health region (an increase from 115 cases earlier in the week)
 
-82 cases in the Grand Erie Public Health region, with 79 concentrated in Norfolk County
 
-6 cases in the Huron Perth Public Health region, all linked to the existing outbreak

Authorities have also issued warnings about potential exposure sites, including Victoria Hospital’s adult emergency department and a Value Village store in London. Additionally, one case was reported in Guelph earlier this week, raising concerns about further spread across the province.
 
The Severe Impact on Children
Doctors have noted that this outbreak is causing unusually severe symptoms in many young patients. Children admitted to hospitals are experiencing breathing difficulties, extremely high fevers, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some cases have escalated to pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation), which can have long-term consequences and, in rare cases, lead to death.
 
This Medical News report highlights the growing crisis in Ontario.
 
Dr. Ninh Tran, a medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health commented to media, “We know there are additional cases that haven’t been reported yet, making the situation even more concerning.”
 
Dr. Asmaa Hussain, a pediatrician at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, expressed deep concern about the outbreak’s trajectory. “A significant portion of the community has chosen not to vaccinate their children, which is why this outbreak continues to grow. The number of reported cases is only a fraction of the actual infections.”
 
Hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of measles cases, with limited isolation rooms available to prevent further transmission. Parents of infected children are being urged to call ahead before bringing their children to the hospital so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
 
Public Health Response and Vaccination Efforts
Health officials are doubling down on vaccination camp aigns in response to the outbreak. The measles vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing nearly 100% immunity. However, vaccine hesitancy has contributed to declining immunization rates, making outbreaks like this more likely.
 
Last month, Public Health Ontario expanded vaccine eligibility to include infants as young as six months old in high-risk areas. Normally, the first dose is given at one year of age, but due to the severity of the outbreak, early immunization is being encouraged.
 
“There are additional vaccination clinics happening throughout the region,” Dr. Tran said. “We are particularly focused on ensuring infants and young children in Elgin, Oxford counties, and Saint Thomas receive their shots as soon as possible.”
 
Travel Warnings and March Break Concerns
With March Break approaching, doctors are urging families to take extra precautions before traveling. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading through airborne droplets and lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
 
“To put it into perspective, if a measles-infected person is around ten unvaccinated people, nine of them will get infected,” said Dr. Patrick Galange, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region Public Health. “It spreads incredibly fast, especially in enclosed spaces like airports and schools.”
 
Doctors are advising residents to check their vaccination records, as Ontario does not have a centralized vaccine registry. Those uncertain about their immunization status should consult their primary care provider.
 
The Return of Measles to Canada
Measles was declared eradicated in Canada in 1998, thanks to widespread vaccination. However, falling immunization rates - especially since the COVID-19 pandemic - have allowed the disease to make a comeback. The number of confirmed cases in Ontario has surged dramatically, surpassing annual averages from previous years:
 
-Between 2013 and 2023, Ontario saw between 7 to 22 cases per year
In 2024, cases exceeded 60
 
-In the first few weeks of 2025, over 168 cases have already been reported across Canada with a bulk in Ontario followed by Quebec.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/measles-rubella-surveillance/2025/week-8.html

“We are witnessing the direct consequences of vaccine hesitancy,” Dr. Galange warned. “People have grown complacent because they haven’t seen measles in years. But that’s precisely because vaccines worked. If we stop vaccinating, the disease will come back - and it already has.”
 
The Urgent Need for Genomic Sequencing
One major gap in the current public health response is the lack of genomic sequencing to determine which measles strains are circulating in Ontario. Identifying the exact strain could help scientists understand why this outbreak is causing such severe symptoms and whether new mutations are at play.
 
So far, no efforts have been made to sequence the virus in Ontario, leaving doctors in the dark about whether this outbreak is due to a particularly aggressive strain or if other factors are at play. Experts urge authorities to conduct genomic studies immediately to tailor the response more effectively.
 
Conclusion
The measles outbreak in Ontario is a growing public health crisis, with hundreds of children infected and many requiring hospitalization. The situation is being driven by low vaccination rates, increased travel, and a lack of awareness about the dangers of measles. Health officials are ramping up immunization efforts, but unless vaccination rates improve significantly, the outbreak could continue to spread.
 
Doctors are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated as soon as possible. Measles can cause serious complications, long-term health issues, and even death in severe cases. Vaccination remains the best defense, as two doses of the measles vaccine offer nearly complete immunity.
 
With March Break approaching, health authorities are particularly concerned about increased travel spreading the disease to new regions. Families planning to travel should check their vaccination status and take all necessary precautions to avoid infection.
 
For the latest Measles News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/measles-cases-rise-to-188-across-america-as-florida-becomes-the-12th-affected-state
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/karachi-in-pakistan-reporting-over-300-cases-of-measles-and-also-a-polio-outbreak
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/babies-born-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic-may-face-long-term-neurodevelopmental-challenges
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/measles
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_hospital_listings