It is a heart reality for the families of Ontario: Six babies have been born with congenital measles since the province’s epidemic began last fall and one of them – a premature infant in the southwestern Ontario – died.
The infant, who took over the measles in the womb by an unmistakable mother, marks the first death associated with the epidemic. Although the child also had non -relevant medical complications, the infection was added to an already fragile condition. Health officials say death was preventive.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Head of Ontario’s medical health officer, confirmed the details on Thursday, urging the public to recognize the importance of vaccination – especially for those who are or may become pregnant.
“These infections could have been avoided if their mothers had been vaccinated,” Moore said The Canadian PressAdding that congenital measles can lead to serious complications, including inflammation of the brain and death.
Since the outbreak began in October 2024, Ontario has recorded over 2,000 measles cases. Of these, 40 have been involved pregnant – and only two are vaccinated.
The risk of measles during pregnancy
Pregnancy already comes with its own set of challenges, but measles conclusion adds dangerous complications for both parent and baby. Infections during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage or – as in recent cases – the – the -fetal measles transmitted to the fetus.
Unlike some other diseases, you slope Get the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and red) as soon as you are pregnant. This is due to the fact that it contains a living virus, which transfers a theoretical risk of transport to the baby.
This makes vaccination critical before pregnancy. If you are non -vaccinated and pregnant when exposed to measles, the National Advisory Committee is a dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) within six days to reduce the risk of complications.
But even that has its challenges.
“Some people, if they don’t want a vaccine, may not even want immunoglobulin. This can be a philosophical choice,” Moore noted.
‘We can’t be a thought’
To one Newspaper of Canadian Medical Union The editorial published this week, emergency doctor Dr. Catherine Varner stressed that pregnant women “bear the weight” of Canada’s epidemic.
“Pregnant people often run higher risk than the general population of infectious diseases,” he wrote. “Therefore, it cannot be a second thought in the preventive strategies and responses of healthcare systems.”
Moore acknowledged that the overwhelming majority of pregnant women in Ontario hectare Vaccinated, but it is the small group they have chosen not to be the one that see the most serious consequences.
“I would love to have 100 percent,” he said. “But we have to work with these communities that have chosen not to be vaccinated, and this is a long and difficult discussion.”
What parents and families need to know
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here are the main routes:
- Check the state of vaccination before pregnancy.
If you are not protected by measles, talk to the healthcare provider to be vaccinated before trying to capture. - If exposed to measles during pregnancy and non -vaccinated, search IVIG immediately.
Time is critical – this should happen within six days of the report. - Avoid exposure during the epidemic.
Moore suggests that pregnant people who are non -vaccinated and live in epidemic areas self-studied to reduce their risk. - Find out from credible sources.
Your Public Health Websites and your healthcare provider can help you make up -to -date options and distinguish the incident from misinformation. - If you are not sure if you are immune, ask for a blood test.
Immunity can often be confirmed through a simple blood test, especially if you are not sure of your vaccine history.
As health employees work to contain the epidemic, an Ontario mother urges other parents to vaccinate. Her child was born with measles after her exposure during pregnancy – something she never thought could happen.
“I thought measles was something of the past,” he said. “I wish I had vaccinated before I was pregnant.”
Its history, like that of the six affected infants, is a strong reminder that diseases that can be affected by vaccines are not only theoretical dangers-they are very real and in some cases will be deadly.
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