Pictured: Dr. Michelle Barton-Forbes (left) and Dr. Nadim Khalil (right) in their personal protective equipment.
October 28, 2025
A multidisciplinary team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has been recognized by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) with the 2024 Team Award for its leadership during the measles outbreak that swept through southwestern Ontario earlier in the year.
The outbreak, which began in January, quickly escalated into one of the most significant public health challenges the region has faced since the COVID-19 pandemic. Within days of the first confirmed case, LHSC’s Children’s Hospital and Women’s Care Measles Response Team mobilized a coordinated response that would go on to shape local, provincial and national containment strategies.
Mobilizing a rapid response
The response team was comprised of physicians, hospital leaders, infection prevention experts and support staff. Their mission was threefold: to treat patients, protect those who were most vulnerable and preserve health system capacity.
Immediately, plans were rapidly developed for all paediatric and obstetrical care areas, with particular focus on those serving high-risk populations, such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and paediatric oncology. As the outbreak evolved, so did the response.
“Our actions were evidence-based, grounded in teamwork and guided by a shared commitment to patient safety,” says Dr. Barton-Forbes, Division Head, Paediatric Infectious Diseases. “We acted swiftly to shield those at greatest risk and preserve our ability to deliver high-quality care as cases climbed.”
Throughout the outbreak, declared over in October, LHSC managed over 150 suspected or confirmed cases of measles in children and adults. There were no deaths or cases of hospital-acquired transmission; a result credited to the team’s swift action and rigorous infection control protocols.
A shared effort
Clinical teams across LHSC played a vital role in supporting the outbreak response. Notably, the Infectious Disease Consult Service, Infection Prevention and Control, Microbiology and frontline care teams worked together to screen, assess and treat patients.
Their collaboration extended beyond the walls of LHSC, working closely with regional hospitals and public health partners to ensure a well-coordinated response and uninterrupted access to essential resources.
Meanwhile, the Paediatric Vaccination Clinic provided immunizations and worked with families to address vaccine hesitancy. Special clinics were also established to ensure patients who had been admitted with measles could continue receiving care after they returned home.
Advancing knowledge and policy
LHSC was the first tertiary care hospital in Ontario to treat newborns with measles during the outbreak, including those who were born already infected. The team played a key role in developing critical testing guidelines for these patients and shared their insights with hospitals and health professionals across Canada, helping them better understand the risks and prepare for similar situations.
Additionally, the team participated in an information session hosted by Children’s Healthcare Canada, where they spoke with Senators and Members of Parliament about what was contributing to the outbreak and how future ones could be prevented.
“I’m incredibly proud of this team and thrilled that our work has been recognized by the Ontario Medical Association,” says Dr. Nadim Khalil, Medical Lead, Paediatric Infection Prevention and Control. “From the frontline and beyond, this award reflects the dedication of everyone at LHSC who stepped up to keep our patients safe and informed during this critical time.”