Jackie McCoubrey recalls extended periods of illness with her sister during their childhood bout with measles, confined to a dark room while their concerned mother tended to them. The sisters, aged five and six at the time between 1965 and 1967, were kept isolated in the dark as it was believed that exposure to light could lead to blindness. Now, as measles cases surge in her community six decades later, McCoubrey reflects on the preventable nature of the disease through vaccination.
In the area served by Southwestern Public Health, which includes Aylmer, St. Thomas, and Tillsonburg, there have been 115 reported measles cases since October, with 10 individuals requiring hospitalization. Children account for three-quarters of the infections, and the majority of those affected were unvaccinated. Health officials have been consistently advocating for vaccination, cautioning about potential exposures at healthcare facilities where measles patients seek treatment.
Recent measles exposure incidents include one at the East Elgin Community Centre during a children’s hockey tournament and another at Value Village on Wellington Road South. The resurgence of measles, a disease declared eradicated in Canada in 1998, has raised concerns among residents and institutions in the region, such as Immanuel Christian School in Aylmer and Milestones Children’s Centre in St. Thomas and Aylmer.
These establishments have been proactive in following public health guidelines and promoting vaccinations to prevent the spread of measles. The Church of God in Aylmer has even closed its school as a precautionary measure. McCoubrey, having experienced the severity of measles firsthand, emphasizes the importance of vaccination to protect individuals who may not be able to receive the vaccine due to health conditions.
As the community grapples with the resurgence of measles, the focus remains on safeguarding individuals, particularly children, through immunization and adherence to health protocols.