The number of new measles cases in Chatham-Kent is outpacing the rest of the province so far this month.
New data released by Public Health Ontario (PHO) on Thursday shows that the number of measles cases reported by the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit (CKPHU) more than doubled over a one week span in April, adding 47 new cases from April 2 to April 9 for a total of 90 cases since October 28, 2024.
As of the time of the PHO report, the case count in Chatham-Kent made up 11 per cent of the province's total cases (816).
Chatham-Kent showed the largest increase from April 2 to April 9 (47 new cases), followed by Southwestern Public Health (32 new cases), and the South East Health Unit in the Kingston area (22 new cases).
Overall, the CKPHU has reported the fourth-most number of cases (90) in Ontario.
A potential measles exposure at a local school was identified by CKPHU this week, too.
CK News Today has learned that a letter was sent home to parents and guardians of students at Tilbury Area Public School on Tuesday, April 8 notifying them that a suspected case of measles was present at the school on Wednesday, April 2.
At that time, the health unit's letter noted that children who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered susceptible and must be excluded from school for 21 days after their most recent exposure.
The CKPHU told CK News Today it did not send out a public notice on the possible exposure because "in cases where the exposure occurs at a confined location such as a school, we are able to effectively case and contact manage the individuals involved."
A spokesperson for the CKPHU noted that its "protocol for issuing exposure sites to the public is reserved for situations where we are unable to contact all known individuals who may have been exposed."
The most recent notice the CKPHU issued to the general public was for an exposure on April 4 from 2:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tilbury Walk-in Clinic.
Anyone who is not up-to-date on their vaccinations who may have been exposed to measles should CK Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902.
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of measles and is planning to visit a healthcare provider, the emergency department, or a walk-in clinic is also being directed to call ahead to let them know you have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms.