
Measles Outbreak in the SWPH Region: Are New Cases Finally Declining?
2025-05-30
Author: William
In a hopeful turn of events, the number of new measles cases in the Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) region has plummeted dramatically over the past week. Recent outbreak reports reveal a stark drop from 63 cases to just 26 new infections since May 22.
This brings the alarming total to 717 cases recorded since October of last year, highlighting the severity of this outbreak.
Shockingly, more than 70% of the cases involve individuals aged 18 and under, and 6.6% have necessitated hospitalization—a clear wake-up call for communities.
In a positive revelation, nearly 70% of Canadians are now in favor of mandatory vaccinations for children, according to a fresh Angus Reid poll. This shift in public sentiment comes on the heels of a significant surge in measles cases, primarily affecting unvaccinated children. Support for mandatory vaccinations was particularly high in Ontario and Quebec, while Alberta lagged behind—even though figures have improved compared to last year.
As this public health crisis unfolds, the question remains: have we reached a turning point, or do we need to amplify our efforts to safeguard our children against this preventable disease?