The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is reassuring the public that unlike across the river, there's been no measles outbreak locally.
The health unit has responded to reports of a sign being displayed on a picket line Wednesday morning that said measles had been reported in Windsor-Essex. Health unit CEO and Chief Nursing Officer Theresa Marentette said, while they are watching an outbreak in the Detroit area, the information displayed on the picket line is not correct.
"I want to assure the public that, to date, no cases of measles exist in our community," said Marentette in a news release. "We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain prepared to address measles and other infectious diseases during the current labour disruption. On behalf of our entire team, I wish to sincerely apologize for any fear or confusion that was caused by any misinformation spread on the picket line this morning.”
The health unit's nurses are embroiled in a labour dispute with the unit's management.
Detroit television station WXYZ reports that 22 confirmed cases of measles have been reported, with 21 of them in Oakland County and the first reported case in Wayne County, where Detroit is located. Health officials told the station that the outbreak began last week with a confirmed case of travel-related measles.
While there are no cases in Windsor-Essex, health officials in Chatham-Kent are awaiting lab confirmation of a possible case there.
For complete, up-to-date information on measles and reported outbreaks of all health issues, visit the health unit's official website.
