A corrected lab result indicates an individual who tested positive for measles in Simcoe Muskoka did not actually have the virus.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit was notified by Public Health Ontario’s laboratory on March 26 that due to an error on their part, the case of measles that had been confirmed
positive on March 12 was in fact negative.
Medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, says despite best efforts, on rare occasions laboratory errors can occur.
He goes on to say the health unit regrets any anxiety they may have caused by notifying the public of what we believed to be a positive measles case.
They are working closely with the laboratory to ensure an incident like this one does not occur again.
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission.
The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.
Symptoms of measles begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, and red eyes.
Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present.
Three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and then progresses down the body.
The risk of transmission to those vaccinated with two doses is low, and when it does occur tends to show a reduction in the severity of these symptoms.
