Nine confirmed measles cases in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk, possible exposure in Ingersoll and Woodstock

Public health officials are warning the public of possible measles exposure at a number of locations across southwestern Ontario.

On Tuesday, Grand Erie Public Health said they had a total of nine confirmed cases between the City of Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand County and Norfolk County

Southwestern Public Health, meanwhile, said members of the public may have been exposed to the highly contagious illness in the emergency departments at Alexandra Hospital in Ingersoll and the Woodstock Hospital. They did not share any information about confirmed cases.

Location of possible exposure

Grand Erie Public Health and Southwestern Public Health both said they were reaching out to those who may have been exposed to the virus.

They also shared locations and timeframes for anyone they were unable to contact.

They include:

• Tahini’s Brantford – 440 Colborne Street West in Brantford on Jan. 16 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Momoko Snacks Land – 75 Dalhousie Street, Unit# 104 in Brantford on Jan. 16 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• White Horse Bowling – 80 Davis Street East in Simcoe on Jan. 18 between 6:45 p.m. and 11p.m.
• Tillsonburg Old Colony School – 122-216 Goshen Rd. in Eden between the dates of Jan. 9-13 (8 a.m. – 5p.m.)
• Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department on Jan. 14 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Roulston’s Pharmacy – 65 Donly Dr. N. in Simcoe on Jan. 14 between the 5 p.m. and close.
• Woodstock Hospital – The emergency department between Jan. 15 at 9:30 p.m. and Jan. 16 at 1:44 a.m.
• Alexandra Hospital in Ingersoll – 29 Noxon Street – The emergency department between Jan. 17 at 11:57 p.m. and Jan. 18 at 2:13 a.m.

What you need to know about measles

The measles virus is an airborne disease that can infect others up to two hours after the infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through direct contact.

Some symptoms include:

• Rash
• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Fatigue

Symptoms usually start 10 days after exposure, though it can also happen anywhere between seven to 21 days.

Those with the measles are contagious four days before and four days after a rash appears.

Seeking treatment

Anyone experiencing symptoms, or believes they may have come into contact with an infected person, should:

Monitor for measles symptoms, even if you’ve been vaccinated

Check your vaccination records to see your shots (MMR or MMRV) are up-to-date

Those with a weakened immune system (including infants under 12 months of age, pregnant individuals or anyone unvaccinated) should contact their doctor immediately by phone

“If you have been exposed to measles or have symptoms of it, please call ahead before visiting any health care setting so they can prepare for your arrival,” advised Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, in a media release.

If your healthcare provider is not available, patients are asked to contact Grand Erie Public Health at 519-753-4937 (Brantford-Brant office) or 519-426-6170/905-318-6623 (Haldimand-Norfolk office), or Southwestern Public Health at 1-800-922-0096.