Image of a person standing outside, wearing scrubs, a stethoscope around their neck

Skip to Content

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo Print

Contact Us
  • Public Health
    Services
    • Breastfeeding Clinic
    • Community Events and Farmers Markets
    • Dental Clinic
    • Family Health Information Line
    • Food Safety Certification Training
    • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
    • Infection Prevention and Control Investigations
    • Inspection Results and Enforcement
    • Needle Syringe Program
    • Planet Youth Nipissing
    • Prenatal Classes
    • Private Drinking Water Testing
    • The Sexual Health Clinic
    • Vaccination Clinics
    • Vaccination Records
  • Health
    Topics
    • 2SLGBTQ+
    • Air Quality
    • Alcohol
    • Animal Bites
    • Beach, Lake and Pool Water
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cancer Prevention and Screening
    • Cannabis
    • Climate Change
    • Dental Health
    • Diseases
    • Drinking Water
    • Emergencies and Being Prepared
    • Farm Fresh Eggs
    • Flu/Influenza
    • Food Safety
    • Gambling
    • Hand Hygiene
    • Healthy Aging
    • Healthy Eating
    • Heat and Humidity
    • Home Health and Safety
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Injury Prevention
    • Intimate Partner Violence
    • Mental Health
    • Naloxone
    • Pregnancy, Infant and Child Health
    • Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS)
    • Physical Activity
    • Racism
    • Radiation
    • Reducing Weight Bias
    • Sexual Health
    • Sharps
    • Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco
    • Substance Use
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Vaccinations
    • Vision Health
  • Health Professionals
    and Partners
    • Camp Providers
    • Child Cares
    • Cooling Tower Property Owners and Maintenance Operators
    • COVID-19 Healthcare Providers, Hospitals and Long-Term Care
    • Designated Officers
    • Emergency Management
    • Group Home and Shelter Administrators
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Care Providers COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    • Healthy Aging Resources
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Maternal Child Update
    • Municipal Resources
    • Needle Syringe Programs
    • Nutrition Resources
    • Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) Distributing Agencies and First Responders
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Report an Overdose
    • Schools
    • Teaching Kitchen
  • Community Data
    and Reports
    • Child and Youth Health Data
    • Chronic Diseases
    • Environmental Health
    • Health Behaviours
    • Indirect Impacts of COVID-19
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Injuries
    • Mortality
    • Nipissing Parry Sound Public Health Atlas
    • Oral Health
    • Population Demographics
    • Reproductive and Child Health
    • Respiratory Dashboard
    • Substance Use Harms
    • Well-being and Mental Health
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers and Placements
    • Contact Us
    • Interview with Isabel Churcher
    • News and Events
    • Personal Health Privacy Policy
    • Programs and Services
    • RFPs and Tenders
    • 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Search Button

Back To Top

Healthcare Professionals

HomeHealth Professionals and PartnersHealth Care Professionals
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

We provide support and resources to healthcare providers across our district. See the following options for more information.

Measles

Measles is a Disease of Public Health Significance.  All suspected or confirmed cases must be reported to the Health Unit.  If you suspect or confirm a case of measles, report it immediately by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll-free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229.

With the sharp increase in measles cases in Canada, including a large outbreak in Ontario and multiple cases being confirmed in our region, we urge all health care facilities to review the immunization status of their health care workers to ensure they are protected against measles. 

Vaccination 

Immunizing Healthcare Workers

According to the Canadian Immunization Guide, all healthcare workers should be immune to measles. Regardless of birth year, the criteria for measles immunity includes: 

  • Documentation of vaccination with two doses of measles-containing vaccine on or after their first birthday 

OR 

  • laboratory evidence of immunity 

OR 

  • Documentation of lab confirmed infection. 

By ensuring all healthcare workers are immune to measles, your facility can reduce the possibility of staff exclusion following exposure which will help maintain adequate staffing levels and minimize disruption in patient/resident care.  

Routine serologic testing to determine the immunity of healthcare workers without immunization records is generally not practical. If a healthcare worker reports incomplete immunization or lacks adequate documentation of immunization, they should be considered unimmunized and started on an immunization schedule appropriate for their age and risk factors.

Measles-containing vaccine may be given regardless of possible previous receipt of the vaccine because additional adverse events associated with repeated immunization have not been demonstrated.

Measles-susceptible healthcare workers should receive 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (i.e., Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine), administered with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses. 

If a healthcare worker is exposed to a confirmed case of measles, and they do not meet the criteria for measles immunity, exclusion from the workplace is required from the 5th day after their first exposure to 21 days after their last exposure.  If during this time, proof of immunity or documentation of previous infection is provided, they may return to work.  Longer exclusion periods apply to those who receive immune globulin as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Should you require further information, please contact your facility’s Public Health Nurse or the Health Unit’s Communicable Disease Control program at 705-474-1400, ext. 5229.

Immunizing Patients

The routine immunization schedule for measles is found in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.

Individuals who live, work, travel to, worship in or spend time in areas where the risk of exposure to measles is higher are recommended to follow a different measles vaccination schedule as indicated in Public Health Ontario's Routine and Outbreak-related Measles Immunization Schedules. In Ontario, the following health unit districts are areas where the risk of exposure to measles is higher:

  • Chatham-Kent Health Unit
  • Grand Erie Health Unit
  • Grey Bruce Health Unit
  • Huron Perth District Health Unit
  • Lampton Public Health
  • Middlesex-London Health Unit
  • Southwestern Public Health
  • Region of Waterloo Public Health
  • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

 

Infection Prevention and Control

The measles virus is spread by contact with respiratory particles through inhalation or contact with mucous membranes at short and long range (e.g., airborne).  These particles can remain suspended and contagious in the air for up to two hours, depending on the number of air changes.

  • If the patient is suspected of measles prior to their arrival, schedule the patient visit for the end of the day to minimize exposure of others.
  • Screen patients upon arrival to your health care setting for symptoms of acute respiratory illness including rash.  Sample Signage for Passive Screening from PHO's Best Practices for the Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection Transmission in All Health Care Settings document.
  • Patients suspected of having a measles infection should be managed under Routine Practices and Airborne Precautions.
  • Ensure the patient wears a medical mask (if no contraindications).
  • Place the patient in an appropriate room immediately upon arrival.  A single room with negative air flow (airborne infection isolation room [AIIR]) with the door closed is preferred.  If an AIIR is not available, the patient should be placed in a single room with the door closed.
  • Limit patient movement unless absolutely necessary.  Use transport routes that minimize contact with others and clear all hallways and elevators along the route.
  • Only health care workers (HCWs) with at least two doses of measles-containing vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity, regardless of year of birth, should provide care to patients with suspect/confirmed measles.
  • All HCWs regardless of immunity to measles are to wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator when providing care to a patient with suspect or confirmed measles. 
  • Additional personal protective equipment such as gloves, gown and eye protection may be required based on a point of care risk assessment (PCRA).
  • After patient leaves, the door to the room where the patient was examined must remain closed with signage to indicate that the room is not to be used.  Do not use the room for two hours to allow for sufficient time for the air to be free of respiratory particles.
  • Once sufficient time has elapsed, conduct routine cleaning and disinfection of the room and equipment.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use of all cleaning and disinfection products, including adherence to the correct contact time.

For additional IPAC information see:

  1. Public Health Ontario: Measles: Information for Health Care Providers; page 6-7
  2. Public Health Ontario: Measles IPAC Checklist for Clinics and Specimen Collection Centres

Laboratory Testing

Diagnostic laboratory testing is essential for all suspected measles cases and should include both measles virus detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in nasopharyngeal/throat swab AND urine as well as diagnostic serology.

Ensure your office has specimen containers and supplies available for testing. Confirm the expiry dates on the specimen containers (e.g., swabs).  Kits can be ordered from the Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL).

Individuals who are tested for measles can be provided with the following resource:  Measles Testing: A Quick Guide for Patients.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) involves the timely administration of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or immunoglobulin (Ig) to susceptible individuals following measles exposure. Immunoglobulin is generally administered in hospital settings. The goals of PEP are to lower the risk of infection and reduce the severity of illness if measles infection occurs.

For additional information see:

  1. Public Health Ontario: AT A GLANCE Measles: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Contacts
  2. Public Health Ontario: Recommendations:  Measles Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Individuals Who Are Immunocompromised

More Resources

  • Public Health Ontario's Measles: Information for Healthcare Providers
  • Public Health Ontario's Measles Webpage
  • Public Health Agency of Canada's Measles for Health Professionals  
  • Infectious Disease Protocol, Appendix 1: Measles
  • Canadian Immunization Guide: Criteria for Measles Immunity 
  • Immunize Canada: Measles 

Other Infectious Diseases

  • Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program
    • Visit this page for more information about infectious diseases
  • Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
  • COVID-19 information for Healthcare Providers, Hospitals and Long-Term Care
  • Local Influenza Activity
  • Tuberculin Skin Testing Guide
  • Syphilis Infection Management

Immunizations

  • Immunization information
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Information

New Parent/Baby Referrals and Resources

  • Breastfeeding resources
  • Healthy Families referral form
  • Parenting programming and resources Nipissing
  • Parenting programming and resources Parry Sound
Health Professionals and Partners
    • Camp Providers
      Toggle Section Camp Providers Menu
      • Cleaning Recommendations During an Outbreak
      • Recreational Camp Guide
    • Child Cares
    • Cooling Tower Property Owners and Maintenance Operators
    • COVID-19 Healthcare Providers, Hospitals and Long-Term Care
    • Designated Officers
    • Emergency Management
      Toggle Section Emergency Management Menu
      • Municipalities
      • Personal Preparedness
        Toggle Section Personal Preparedness Menu
        • Emergency Kits
        • Resources
    • Group Home and Shelter Administrators
    • Health Care Professionals
      Toggle Section Health Care Professionals Menu
      • Breastfeeding resources
      • Communicable Disease Control
        Toggle Section Communicable Disease Control Menu
        • Infection Prevention and Control
      • Harm Reduction
      • Syphilis Infection Management
    • Health Care Providers COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    • Healthy Aging Resources
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Maternal Child Update
    • Municipal Resources
    • Needle Syringe Programs
    • Nutrition Resources
      Toggle Section Nutrition Resources Menu
      • Adventures in Cooking
      • Nutrition Resources for Older Adults
    • Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) Distributing Agencies and First Responders
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Report an Overdose
    • Schools
      Toggle Section Schools Menu
      • Ecoles
      • HOT TOPICS
      • Sujets d'actualité
      • School and Classroom Supports
        Toggle Section School and Classroom Supports Menu
        • Body Image at School Classroom
        • Hand Hygiene in Schools Classroom
        • Healthy Eating - Classroom and Educators Supports
        • Human Development and Sexual Health - Classroom and Educator Supports
        • Immunizations - Classroom and Educator Supports
        • Mental Health For Educators
        • Oral Health in Schools for Educators
        • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention in Schools Classroom Supports
        • Physical Activity at School Classroom & Educators
        • Planetary Health Education for Educators
        • Tobacco, Vape, Drugs and Alcohol Prevention for Educators
      • Soutiens pour la classe et les éducatuers
        Toggle Section Soutiens pour la classe et les éducatuers Menu
        • Developpement humain et sante sexuelle educateurs
        • Hygiène des mains - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • Image corporelle - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • L’activité physique à l’école - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • L’alimentation saine à l’école - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • La santé planétaire - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • Prévention des blessures à l’école - soutiens pour des éducateurs
        • Santé mentale - soutiens pour las classe et les éducateurs
        • Vaccinations - soutiens pour la classe et les éducateurs
      • School and Administrator Page
        Toggle Section School and Administrator Page Menu
        • Body Image for schools and administration
        • Hand Hygiene - Schools and Administration
        • Healthy Eating - School and Administration
        • Human Development and Sexual Health - Schools and Administration
        • Immunizations - For School and Administration
        • Mental Health - Schools and Administration
        • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention - School and Administration Supports
        • Planetary Health Education - Schools and Administration
        • Tobacco, Vape, Drugs and Alcohol Prevention - Schools and Administration
      • Soutien scolaire et administratif
        Toggle Section Soutien scolaire et administratif Menu
        • Developpement humain et sante sexuelle - soutien scolaire et administratif
        • L’activité physique à l’école soutiens administratif
        • L’alimentation saine à l’école - soutiens administratif
        • La santé planétaire - soutiens administatif
        • Santé mentale - soutiens scolaire et administratif
        • Prévention des blessures à l’école - soutien administratif
      • Lending Library and Apps
        Toggle Section Lending Library and Apps Menu
        • Vaping: What’s the Hype?
          Toggle Section Vaping: What’s the Hype? Menu
          • Addiction Activities for Teachers and Students
          • Flavours
          • From Vaping to Smoking?
          • Health Effects
          • Marketing
          • Nicotine and the Brain
          • The Law - Supplying
          • The Tobacco Industry
          • The Law - Property
      • Bibliothéque de prêt
        Toggle Section Bibliothéque de prêt Menu
        • Trousse d’outils sur le vapotage
          Toggle Section Trousse d’outils sur le vapotage Menu
          • Dépendance
          • Du vapotage à la cigarette ?
          • Effets sur la santé
          • La loi – Endroits où il est interdit de fumer et de vapoter
          • La loi – Fournir des produits de vapotage
          • La nicotine et le cerveau
          • L’industrie du tabac
          • Marketing
          • Produits aromatisés
    • Teaching Kitchen
      Toggle Section Teaching Kitchen Menu
      • Teaching Kitchen Meet & Greet

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Footer Logo

  • Website

    • About Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News
  • Links

    • Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Sitemap
    • Staff Intranet
  • Resources

    Increase Contrast

Your lifetime partner in healthy living!

Copyright 2022 North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

By GHD Digital

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.