Health unit urges vaccinations amid Windsor area measles outbreak

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With confirmation of the Windsor area’s second and third case of measles, the local health unit is warning those who are unvaccinated to get the shot against the highly contagious virus and disease.

“Additional cases and exposure risks are expected over the coming days and weeks,” the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit said in a statement issued Monday night.

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“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles,” the health unit said. “For those who are unvaccinated, the risks for measles are serious and can include pneumonia, deafness, brain inflammation, and in the most severe cases, death.”

Health authorities name three locations and are asking anyone who may have visited there on the dates and times listed to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for seven to 21 days from the date of exposure:

• March 7, 6:30-11:30 p.m.; Toldo Lancer Centre, 2555 College Ave., Windsor;

• March 7, 5:30-8 p.m.; Chick-Fil-A, 3060 Howard Ave., Windsor;

• March 8, 1:15-3:35 p.m.; TMC Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, Kingsville.

Symptoms of measles usually begin 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, with a prominent rash the most visible symptom, according to the World Health Organization. Early symptoms, usually in the first four to seven days, can include runny nose, cough, red and water eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks.

The rash begins about seven to 18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck, and then spreads over about three days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts five to six days before fading.

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The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit said it’s “working closely with neighbouring health units as part of a provincial response.” Residents directly affected from cases of measles “should expect the WECHU to contact them to determine potential public places for which there may have been exposure to others,” including health care settings, shopping centres or restaurants.

• Children aged one to 17 need two doses of measles vaccines to be immune;

• Those born before 1970 are considered immune;

• Those born after 1970 who have not received two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine may need an additional dose;

• Those who may not be aware of their measles vaccination status are encouraged to speak with a health care provider;

• Those without a health care provider can call 811 anytime or contact UrgentCareOntario online for more information.

These latest local instances follow closely a Leamington case from last week. Public Health Ontario reports “ongoing measles transmission in Ontario” dating back to early February and impacting multiple public health units.

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Due to high immunization coverage in the past, measles in Ontario has been rare. But according to Canada’s chief public health officer, measles cases globally saw a sharp increase in 2024.

There were more cases reported in Canada in the first two months of 2025 than in all of last year, “many requiring hospitalization.” The majority of cases involve unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children exposed in their communities, including in daycares, schools and health care settings.

The highly contagious measles virus spreads easily in the air when an infected person coughs, talks or sneezes and then another person breathes in the virus particles in the air. The particles can remain for up to two hours after the person with the infection has left a closed space, according to health unit officials.

Last week, the local health unit announced more than 1,000 elementary school students in Windsor and Essex County had been suspended for incomplete immunization records. Families were informed those students would be excluded from school for up to 20 days, or until they had complied with Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act.

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