Measles cases nearly double in Ontario over last 2 weeks, far surpassing last decade’s total [Video]

Ontario is reporting 78 new measles cases over the last two weeks, nearly doubling the province’s total count since an outbreak started in the autumn.

The new cases bring Ontario’s total this year to 119 that were confirmed in a lab and 23 that are deemed “probable,” surpassing the 101 total infections recorded in the province between 2013 and 2023.

Almost all of the new cases are connected to an interprovincial outbreak that began in October, which has sickened 177 people in Ontario and also saw the virus spread in New Brunswick and Manitoba. Quebec has also reported an outbreak of 27 cases that began in December.

As a result of the outbreak, 18 kids have been hospitalized, including one who required intensive care.

The highly contagious — but preventable — disease has primarily infected children and teenagers who are unvaccinated.

WATCH | Vaccination promoted in Ontario to combat measles …