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Lab error responsible for false positive on measles report

April 4, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A report from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit on March 13 about a case of measles in the region was, in fact, an error.

The Health Unit followed up with a second report on March 27, stating that the case of measles that had been lab-confirmed, based on symptoms and positive urine measles laboratory results was actually negative for the measles virus.

“With this new information of the negative lab result, we believe that that individual was not infected with measles and that there has not been any public exposure to measles resulting from this individual’s illness,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health. “We recognize that notifying the public of what we believed to be a positive measles case in our area created worry, anxiety and disruption for some, and we regret this. We do know that, despite best efforts, on rare occasions laboratory errors can occur. We are working closely with the PHO’s laboratory to do all that we can to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.”

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The risks of transmission to those vaccinated with two doses is low, and when it does occur it tends to show a reduction in the severity of those symptoms.

“Although we are relieved for the individual involved, and for all Simcoe Muskoka residents, that this case has now been confirmed as negative, we know that measles is still active in Ontario at this time and the potential remains for new cases to arise, especially given the increase in Ontarians travelling to areas in the world that have higher numbers of measles cases,” said Dr. Gardner. “This is why we continue to advise individuals to keep up to date with their routine immunizations, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.” 

The risk of measles is low for people who have been fully immunized with two doses of measles vaccine or those borne before 1970, however, many children have been delayed in receiving their routine childhood immunizations and people who have not had two doses of measles vaccine are at higher risk of contracting the disease.

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