Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health-Care Providers

June 17, 2025

From:
Dr. Ethan Toumishey
Deputy Medical Officer of Health
South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health)

In this Issue:

  1. Measles information

News & Updates

Measles information for health-care providers

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health published a memo and Frequently Asked Questions document on June 11, 2025 in response to Ontario’s ongoing measles outbreak. The memo provides updated guidance for health-care providers on the prevention and management of measles.

In response to this memo, South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) recommends the following to health-care provider

  • In addition to routine immunizations, offer MMR vaccine to individuals who live, work, travel, worship or spend time in the following Public Health Unit jurisdictions:
    • Chatham-Kent
    • Grand Erie
    • Grey Bruce
    • Huron Perth
    • Lambton
    • Middlesex-London
    • Waterloo
    • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
    • Windsor-Essex
    • Southwestern

      Specific guidance for infants (aged six to 11 months), children (one to four years), and adults born on or after 1970 can be found in the memo.
  • Include measles in your differential diagnosis, test, and report to Public Health.
    • Measles typically presents with prodromal symptoms (fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis). Koplik spots (white spots on the buccal mucosa) may also occur. A maculopapular rash that starts on the face and moves downwards to the extremities begins three to seven days after prodromal symptoms appear.
    • A nasopharyngeal swab, a throat swab and a urine sample for molecular PCR testing are essential for diagnosis. Serology is not required for diagnosis. See Public Health Ontario’s Measles – Diagnostic – PCR webpage for specific direction on specimen collection.
    • Report any suspected measles cases to public health immediately. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation. During regular business hours, health-care providers must call 613-966-5500, ext. 349. For after hours, health-care providers must call 613-966-5500 and follow the prompts to reach the after-hours service.
  • Follow recommendations for infection prevention and control.
    • Ensure all health-care workers are immunized or have documented immunity to measles.
    • All health-care workers should wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator, regardless of immune status, when entering the room of, or providing care to, a patient with suspected or known measles. Gloves, gown and eye protection are recommended in addition to an N95 respirator due to risk of exposure to respiratory secretions.
    • Individuals with suspected or confirmed measles should be scheduled to visit the office to minimize exposures to others (i.e. at the end of the day). When they arrive, they should be provided with a medical mask (if tolerated and there are no contraindications), and promptly isolated in an airborne infection isolation room, if available, or a private/single room with the door closed.
    • After the patient leaves, the door to the room where the patient was examined must remain closed with signage to indicate the room is not to be used for two hours.
    • Routine cleaning of the room and equipment must occur once sufficient time has elapsed to ensure adequate air exchange has occurred in the room.

      Detailed information on infection prevention and control can be found at Public Health Ontario’s Measles: Information for Health Care Providers.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

You have received this email at from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health as a result of a request you have made or due to a service/subscription that you are registered for. While you may discontinue your subscription to this mailing at any time by pressing the unsubscribe button below, please note that this bulletin will be used to provide important updates about infectious and communicable disease.