Confirmed measles case in Brantford-Brant area

The Brant County Health Unit also notified parents and caregivers last week that there was a confirmed case of measles in a child resident of Brantford-Brant. The illness was acquired during recent travel to Europe.

The Brant County Health Unit’s investigation determined there were no school-related exposures related to the individual

“We understand parents may have questions about what can be done to keep children safe, and what their child’s school will do if a case of measles is confirmed. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit continue to monitor the situation. At this point, in time, there has been no spread of measles locally,” said the email notice Measles is a highly contagious disease spreading in many parts of the world. Measles symptoms include a red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fatigue. Symptoms can start anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure. The rash starts on the face before spreading down over the body to the arms and legs, lasting about 7-14 days

If you or your child are experiencing measles symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss follow-up recommendations. Do not attend work or school.

If you’re concerned about possible symptoms, call and inform your healthcare provider first before visiting them

Measles is a serious, but preventable illness. The measles vaccine (MMR) is effective in preventing measles after two doses Ensure you and your child’s immunization records are up to date with measles vaccinations.

You can submit or review vaccine records online by visiting bchu org/emunization

If you’d like to know more about measles, please visit this Canadian Public Health Services information sheet online

With clocks springing forward last weekend it is a great reminder that we have turned the corner from winter and that warmer weather is on its way.

With the warmer weather we tend to be more active too as we leave our winter hibernation habits and start getting outside more going for walks, doing gardening, and sitting on our decks just enjoying the sunshine and warm air.

Since you will be more active, it is a great time to make new goals for spring, as summer bodies were made in this season. If you are already starting to worry about putting your bathing suit on around a pool or by a beach this summer, why not set some small achievable goals now that are easy to implement and will help get you ready for the season of less clothes aka summer.

Little changes now will lead to big results in July as you are giving yourself 12 solid weeks to work on them rather than attempting to scramble in June with a crash diet and crazy workout routines prepping for your upcoming July vacay.

Instead of focusing on a number, pick a bathing suit or even a pair of shorts and a tank and put them on next week and take a picture and also note how you feel in them Then every 2 weeks do the same thing again and sure enough with the right changes you will start noticing that your clothes are feeling looser, less bloating is happening, and you are just standing a little taller in that picture. Even if the scale moves at a snail's pace, having these pictures as proof that your small changes are working will be super motivating for you and you will place less emphasis on the number and more on the picture which is what people see

Take a look at what you are doing right now with your eating, your water intake and your movement and commit to one small change next week. Then, once you feel like you have made it a habit, add another, and continue like this until you have made these little tweaks part of your lifestyle You will then wake up July 1 not only ready to rock that bathing suit but more importantly feeling good inside as you have been nourishing your body well for the past three months.

Need help getting going? Please reach out via email or my social media accounts and I will be happy to set up a success call or give you some written tips on what to do to JUST START.