BRAMPTON -
Peel Public Health officials have confirmed the first case of measles in Peel Region, linking the illness to recent outbreaks in Toronto. Last month, Peel health officials revealed they were watching between 300 and 400 people believed to have been exposed to the virus. Peel Health began monitoring possible cases after health departments in Toronto and Halton Region issued a warning about a possible measles outbreak. The Region would not reveal any other information due to privacy issues. Several people had contracted measles in those municipalities. Measles is a respiratory infection caused by a virus and can be spread through coughing or sneezing. People infected with measles can spread the disease up to four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure to a person with measles, but may take as long as 21 days. Peel Public Health recommends individuals check their immunization records and those of family members. "The risk of measles to the general public is low, but we are still urging people born in 1970 or later to check their immunization status," said Dr. David Mowat, Peel's medical officer of health.
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