Ontario reports almost 200 new measles cases as virus spreads across Canada

Health officials say measles infected 197 more people in Ontario over the last week as the highly contagious disease emerged in new parts of the country. 

That brings the province’s tally of probable and confirmed cases to 1,440 since an outbreak began in October. 

Public Health Ontario’s measles report says there have been 101 hospitalizations, including 75 children. Eight patients have been in intensive care. 

Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories each reported measles cases earlier this week, marking their first since this outbreak began. 

Alberta reported yesterday that its overall case count had reached nearly 300 since mid-March, including three patients under the age of 18 in intensive care.

Saskatchewan updated its cumulative count to 27 cases today, a day after Manitoba reported it had reached 24 cases.

Measles has mostly infected unvaccinated children, infants and teenagers, with almost 500 cases in Ontario's southwestern public health unit.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins