Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/April 4, 2025
South East Health Unit (SEHU, formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) is continuing to investigate cases of measles connected to the provincial outbreak. As of April 2, 2025, Public Health Ontario has reported a total of 655 measles cases (560 confirmed, 95 probable) associated with this outbreak, occurring in 13 public health units.
There are currently 43 measles cases in Hastings County. All cases are in previously unvaccinated individuals.
SEHU is not aware of any measles exposures in public settings in our region at this time. If we become aware that an individual with measles was in a public place while infectious, community members will be promptly notified through contact tracing activities and, when necessary, through a public exposure notice.
SEHU is urging residents to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines and to remain watchful for symptoms, especially if not fully vaccinated. If your immunizations are not up to date, speak to your health-care provider about getting your vaccines. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases and prevent the spread of measles in our community.
Review your immunization records at:
- HPE: hpechu.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
- KFLA: kfla.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
- LGL: lgl.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
Please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier. Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970. The MMR vaccine is part of Ontario’s routine immunization schedule, and is required for children attending public schools unless they have an exemption.
Get vaccinated
The MMR vaccine is publicly funded and available at your health-care provider’s office or through SEHU’s immunization clinics. Call your health-care provider to book an immunization appointment, or book at a SEHU clinic:
- HPE: hpePublicHealth.ca/clinic/immunization-clinic
- KFLA: kflaph.ca/en/clinics-and-classes/routine-immunization-clinics.aspx
- LGL: healthunit.org/clinics-classes/immunization-clinic
The measles virus is highly contagious and spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. If you develop symptoms:
- Stay home and do not attend work or school.
- Call your health-care provider. If you need to go to a clinic or other health-care setting for care, it is important to contact them ahead of time to avoid inadvertently exposing others.
- You may also call our Infectious & Communicable Diseases Program at 613-966- 5500, ext. 349, toll free at 1-800-267-2803, TTY 711 (1-800-267-6511).
For more information about measles, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/measles-faqs.
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