Huron Perth Public Health is warning of another measles exposure in the area, this time in Listowel.
According to the health unit, on Friday, March 28 between 6:30-9:30 p.m., a measles exposure occurred at the KFC on Main Street East in Listowel.
Anyone who was at this location during these timeframes needs to monitor for measles signs and symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
Please call public health at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299, if you or your family member were present at this location during these timeframe and you or your family member were born in or after 1970 and have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines OR if you or your family member are at high risk of severe measles illness. That includes those who have compromised immunity, are pregnant, or are less than 12 months old.
Additionally, Grey Bruce Public Health is warning of another measles exposure at the Brightshores Health System Owen Sound Hospital at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.
GBPH says that the case remained at the hospital until about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 3.
Anyone who was present in the emergency department within the exposure window should confirm their vaccination status against measles, and if you're not protected, contact a healthcare provider or Public Health to receive post-exposure treatment. Monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms are detected, isolate at home and contact a healthcare provider.
Measles is highly contagious so even those who were at this location for a brief time should monitor for symptoms.
Ontario is currently experiencing a multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak. As of April 2, 661 measles cases have been reported in 13 Public Health Unit areas. About 95 percent of the cases did not have immunity to measles or had unknown vaccination status.
Visit www.hpph.ca/measles to view measles information, including vaccination guidance, a schedule and eligibility for HPPH vaccination clinics, and all known recent measles exposure locations and timelines.
In addition, individuals can use the HPPH Measles Exposure Self-Assessment tool at https://bit.ly/ExposureAssessment to understand if they are at risk from a measles exposure.
More information about measles is available on the following webpages:
-Grey Bruce Public Health Measles webpage.
-The Ontario Ministry of Health Measles webpage or Measles Fact Sheet.
-Health Canada Measles webpage.
Measles is a highly contagious virus. It is airborne and can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. The virus can spread to other people when someone with measles coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Measles can result in complications such as diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Rarely, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.
Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to the virus and include:
-fever
-runny nose
-cough
-red eyes (watery)