Ontario hospitals getting ready for another influx of measles cases. Since the epidemic was first discovered last autumn, the province has reported some 1,800 infections. State healthcare officials are working to address this troubling trend. They are taking extreme steps to halt the advance of this highly transmissible virus. Erika Vitale, the director of infection prevention and control at Windsor Regional Hospital, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that “the more cases we have across Ontario, we’re going to have deaths.”
Measles is officially the most contagious virus the world has ever seen, with a basic reproduction rate (Ro) of two times that of COVID-19. That’s because the virus can linger in the air for two hours after an infected person leaves a room. This dramatically increases the potential for widespread exposure in spaces open to the general public. With cases still plummeting, Vitale expressed concern for marginalized communities. He is particularly alarmed for the most vulnerable newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), who have no protection from measles at all.
“An outbreak in the NICU would be devastating,” she remarked. The consequences of measles are serious, with even healthy individuals quickly succumbing to complications like pneumonia. This past year, Canada experienced its first measles-related death in nearly three decades. The death of an unvaccinated child under five from Hamilton drove home the dangerous virulence of the virus.
Windsor Regional Hospital has responded aggressively by opening four pediatric airborne isolation rooms. Created and maintained by dedicated teams, these specialized areas work to stop the spread of disease from continuing within the hospital. To protect its most at-risk patients, the facility has implemented severe visitation policies. It prevents children under 16 from accessing certain units of care such as neonatal, pediatric, maternal, child, and labor and delivery.
In order to improve safety, we will close elevators for two hours after potential use by someone infected. We will be staggering admissions to make each pose less risk of exposure. Vitale stated that this meticulous approach is crucial for protecting patients: “Not calling ahead puts our vulnerable patients at risk.”
Nowhere is the situation more bleak than in Alberta. The province has since seen a total of 538 cases, second only to the province of Ontario. As Ontario still deals with COVID-19’s ongoing outbreak, public health officials are calling on the public to take significant action. Vitale implored parents to consider vaccination: “I hope that the public pays attention to some of the news and information that’s out there. If you’re not vaccinated, that you strongly consider getting vaccinated or getting your children vaccinated.”
Fortunately, Ontario has not seen any deaths due to measles so far this year. The current outbreak has healthcare providers sounding the alarm. Albreathe The western Canadian province is currently facing an opioid overdose and poisoning health crisis. Hospitals throughout Ontario are preparing for a potential worst-case scenario should vaccination rates not pick up.
