A second case of measles has already been confirmed and Ottawa Public Health is expecting more to come as the highly contagious disease spreads from a single student.

The second reported case confirmed by OPH on Monday is another unimmunized classmate who was in contact with the child first reported on March 5.

The initial case involved an unimmunized student at Stittsville's St. Stephen Catholic School who had contracted the disease while traveling to the Phillippines, an area dealing with a significant outbreak of the highly contagious respiratory disease.

OPH said secondary cases are common, as "virtually all those who are not immune and come into contact with the virus will become infected."

The health service "strongly encourages" residents to vaccinate against the disease, and anyone showing symptoms of measles should contact their doctor before visiting, so precautions cann be taken to protect other patients.

Symptoms include fever, cough, and tiny white spots in the mouth.

Within three to seven days, a red blotchy rash will appear, first on the face and then spreading to the body, arms and legs.

OPH advises anyone who has contracted measles to "isolate yourself by staying home and avoid all contact with unimmunized persons."

aedan.helmer@sunmedia.ca