Public Health Alert for Camp Operators
June 11, 2025
As camp operators throughout Windsor-Essex County (WEC) prepare for the start of the summer season, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) would like to provide important guidance in response to the continued multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak in Ontario and increased measles cases in WEC. As of June 3, 2025, 2,009 measles cases have been reported in Ontario related to the outbreak.3
In the event of an exposure to measles within a camp setting, per the Ontario Ministry of Health guidance, the WECHU will require individuals, who do not have documented proof of immunity to measles, to be excluded from attending camp for 21 days following their last date of exposure. Acceptable proof of immunity includes evidence of receiving 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine, a letter from a health care provider confirming a prior infection with measles, a blood test confirming immunity to measles, or a government issued ID confirming date of birth before 1970.
To prepare for the potential of a measles exposure at camp, camp administrators are strongly encouraged to take the following steps to minimize the disruption to the camp experience:
Before Camp Begins
- Remind staff and camper’s parents that measles is still circulating in our community and no one should attend camp if they are ill.
- Provide the measles fact sheet (included) to staff and camper’s parents so they are aware of the most common signs and symptoms of measles.
- Remind staff and camper’s parents that they should ensure they have proof of immunity to measles prior to starting camp so they don’t face the possibility of being required to exclude from camp for up to 21 days following a measles exposure. If they don’t have proof of immunity, they should see their health care provider to discuss options before camp starts.
- Review the WECHU process (attached) for after a measles exposure at camp and ask the WECHU any questions you may have before camp starts.
- Ensure you have a designated room, with a closed door, to isolate a camper or staff member that comes to camp with symptoms of measles.
- Ensure you have medical-grade face masks of varying sizes (including children’s sizes) to use for both the affected individual and the adult who supervises the child in isolation until their family picks them up.
- Prepare to keep a record of who attends camp each day and any off-site excursions made on a camp day.
- Ensure you have contact information for every camper and staff member attending the camp.
During Camp
- Observe students daily checking for signs of illness, consider posting measles screening signage for increased awareness.
- Keep a record of who attends the camp each day.
- Keep a record of any off-site excursions made on a camp day
- In the event of a suspected or confirmed case of measles at camp, follow the steps outlined in the attached WEC Measles Exposure and Exclusion process for Camp Settings to reduce spread of the virus.
- Report any suspected or confirmed cases of measles to the WECHU immediately when you become aware of any camper or staff member who might have measles by submitting a reporting form and fax to 226-783-2132 during business hours and after hours, weekends, and holidays by fax to 226-783-2113.
If you have any questions, please call the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm, at 519-258-2146 Ext. 1420. For more information on measles, please go to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website.
References:
- Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2019. Measles Prevention Information for Camps
- New York State, Department of Health, 2025. Measles Reference Guide for Camp Operators
- Public Health Ontario, 2025: Enhanced Epidemiologic Summary. Measles in Ontario
- The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), 2025. Measles
- Public Health Ontario, 2024. Measles: Information for Health Care Providers