Three new measles cases reported in Niagara region

Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) is reporting three confirmed cases of measles as Ontario faces the largest outbreak the province has seen in almost 30 years.

The new cases involve children who have not been vaccinated against the virus, officials say in a statement Wednesday.

Anyone who visited MedCare Clinics at Scott Street Medical Centre in St. Catharines between the hours of 4:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. on March 2 are being advised to watch for symptoms for up to 21 days.

NRPH is currently reaching out to anyone who has been identified as being exposed to the virus.

The latest infections come as Ontario experiences the highest amount of measles cases since the highly contagious virus was eliminated from Canada in 1998.

READ MORE: Grand Erie Public Health advises four new measles exposure locations

According to Ontario Public Health’s most recent report, a total of 119 confirmed and 23 probable cases of measles have been reported in the province as of Feb. 26.

In the Grand Erie Region alone, 68 cases of measles have been confirmed by its local health unit, 55 of which involve children.

Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include a cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and fever.

Members of the public are advised to stay home and contact their medical provider if they start to experience measles symptoms.

For more information about measles, including signs, symptoms, and what to do if you believe you may have been exposed to the virus, visit the Niagara Region Public Health website.

READ MORE: Ontario measles cases nearly double count marking largest increase in almost 30 years