An infant born prematurely after contracting measles in the womb has died in Southwestern Ontario, marking the first fatality in Ontario’s ongoing measles outbreak, officials confirmed Thursday.
Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, said the baby was infected by an unvaccinated mother before birth. While measles may have contributed to the premature birth and death, the child also had other serious medical complications, he noted.
No personal details were released, but Southwestern Public Health confirmed the case occurred within its region. “This is devastating news,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, the unit’s medical officer of health. He emphasized the severe risks measles poses during pregnancy, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage.
Since the outbreak began in October 2024, Ontario has reported 2,009 cases, with 725 in the Southwestern region alone. Most cases are among unvaccinated individuals.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones urged people to take measles seriously and speak with their doctors. “This is real. This is impactful,” she said.
While case numbers are starting to decline, officials continue to stress the importance of MMR vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups like infants and pregnant individuals.
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