Huron Perth Public Health is warning of another measles exposure in the area, this time in Stratford.
On April 5 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., a measles exposure occurred at the Stratford General Hospital Emergency Department waiting room.
Anyone who was at this location during this time needs to monitor for measles signs and symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
You should call public health if you or your family member were present at this location during this time 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 people with compromised immunity, those who are pregnant, or those who are less than 12-months-old.
Additionally, more measles exposures were detected on three separate dates at C and K Custom Kovers and Kathy’s Dry Goods in Poole.
Those dates were Monday, March 31 from 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 1 from 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. and on Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
You can reach public health by calling 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299.
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)
-small white spots can appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present
-a red blotchy rash appears on the face and then spreads down the body (normally appears three to seven days after symptoms begin)
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.