Since last October, Canada has seen a comeback of measles, mainly affecting Ontario and Alberta.Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press
A baby born prematurely and infected with measles has died in Southwestern Ontario, the first death associated with the outbreak that began in the province last fall.
Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the baby contracted the virus in utero. The mother was not vaccinated against measles, according to a statement released on Thursday.
“While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus,” said Dr. Moore.
This marks the first death in Canada this year linked to the current outbreak. The country recorded a death related to measles last year in an unvaccinated child under the age of 5 from Hamilton. That was the province’s first death in decades.
Since last October, Canada has seen a comeback of measles, mainly affecting Ontario and Alberta.
Ontario has now surpassed 2,000 cases, primarily among children who are unvaccinated, according to an epidemiological update posted on Thursday. Of the 2,009 total cases, 1,729 are confirmed.
In Alberta, there are nearly 750 confirmed cases, as of Wednesday.
More to come.