Public health statistics released by Public Health Ontario

Unvaccinated Child Under Five Dies of Measles in Ontario, First Death in Over a Decade

May 17, 2024, 12:50 PM

A child under five years old has died of measles in Ontario, marking the province's first measles death in over a decade, according to Public Health Ontario. The child was unvaccinated and had been hospitalized for measles complications. This tragic event underscores the importance of maintaining high measles vaccination coverage to control outbreaks and prevent wider transmission. Among just 22 cases, 89% were hospitalized for either isolation or measles complications. The incident comes amid rising measles cases in Ontario and serves as a stark reminder of the disease's potential severity, including lifelong disability or death.