Erie Shores Healthcare CEO Kristin Kennedy. (Photo courtesy of Erie Shores Healthcare)Erie Shores Healthcare CEO Kristin Kennedy. (Photo courtesy of Erie Shores Healthcare)
Windsor

Measles declines in Essex County, but drop comes with a warning

Erie Shores Healthcare reports the number of measles cases in Leamington and Kingsville has dropped.

During the peak of the measles outbreak, from February to May, the hospital recorded 67 cases, including one person who was admitted to the hospital.

"We do anticipate a small peak to come in July when we see some summer camps happening through the off-school season, but for the most part, we're hoping we're on the other side of it," said ESHC CEO Kristin Kennedy.

Over the past three weeks, there have been no new cases.

"I would credit the work of public health and our Windsor-Essex CHC (community health centre), as well as our medical mobile unit that has been out vaccinating over 5,000 agriculture sector workers," said Kennedy.

She estimates up to another 2,000 doses were distributed in the broader community.

While the drop is good news, Kennedy said it wouldn't take much to see numbers jump again.

"Even though we've seen a decline and the burden is less in the community, it only takes a few small outbreaks in certain circles to be able to see an increase again," she said.

Kennedy said the hospital will reassess the situation again in September when school is back in.

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