NEWS RELEASE
HURON PERTH PUBLIC HEALTH
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Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is advising the community of one new measles exposure.
The exposure occurred at the following location and timeframe:
- Listowel Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department Waiting Room
255 Elizabeth St E, Listowel
Sunday, March 23, 7:23 p.m. to 10:31 p.m.
If you were present at this location during this timeframe, were born in 1970 or later, and are not up to date with your measles vaccinations, please call public health at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299. This includes those who were present at the location only briefly as measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
HPPH completes case management and contact tracing for confirmed cases of measles. If during a contact tracing investigation we cannot reach everyone who was exposed, we notify the public of a possible community exposure.
Visit www.hpph.ca/measles to view measles information, including vaccination guidance, a schedule and eligibility for HPPH vaccination clinics, all known recent measles exposure locations and timelines, and the HPPH Measles Exposure Risk Assessment tool to understand if you are at risk from a measles exposure.
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 infections and death.
Symptoms
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)
Someone who has measles can be contagious from four days before the rash starts until four days after the rash starts. Most people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks, but sometimes measles can cause complications.
Infection or exposure
If you think you or a family member has been exposed to measles or has the virus:
- Stay home and avoid contact with other people. Avoid having visitors in your home.
- If you need medical care, call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. Tell them you may have measles or been exposed so they can prepare for your arrival and prevent the virus from spreading to others.
- Wear a well-fitted mask if you need to go out for medical care.
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