Hub Staff
Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) said that while Ontario is continuing to experience a multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak they wish to advise community members of steps that are taken should a measles case be reported within a school.
In a June 2, 2025 media release, Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ian Arra, said that because vaccine rates in the region are relatively high, there is no need for school closures should exposure occur.
If a case is reported, staff and students who may have been exposed to the virus and who are not fully vaccinated or immune will be temporarily excluded from school until it is safe to return, said Arra. Those whose vaccines are up-to-date can continue to attend.
When a case is report in a school, GBPH conducts an investigation including contact-tracing and assessing the vaccination status of all staff and students. Those who have received two doses of the vaccine or were born prior to 1970 are considered immune and continue to attend school. While those who cannot provide proof of immunity or are not up-to-date on their vaccines will be excluded until they become fully vaccinated or the exclusion period ends.
On average around 10 percent of staff and students will be excluded. School officials may also decide to close a school due to inadequate staffing from exclusions.
One dose of a measles-containing vaccine is about 93 percent effective in preventing the disease, while two doses are almost 100 percent effective. As such vaccination is said to be the best defence against measles.
More than 90 percent of those who are not immune due to either vaccination or previous infection will become infection should exposure occur.
"Grey Bruce Public Health knows that the measles outbreak is causing some concern in the community," read the release. "It’s important to note that for people who are fully vaccinated against measles, the risk of acquiring the virus remains very low."
GBPH continues to receive reports of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses circulating in the area and is advising anyone who develops non-specific symptoms to stay home until fever-free and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.
Measles symptoms generally start with a fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat, and then develop into a rash, which starts on the face and spreads down the body, usually three to seven days after preliminary symptoms begin. Public Health Ontario states that testing is best within seven days of the onset of the rash.
