The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is advising of possible measles exposure.
According to a release, the health unit is awaiting lab confirmation but says "an individual with probable measles may have exposed community members to the virus."
Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air, close or direct contact with respiratory secretions, as well as through articles of clothing/bedding with infectious discharge present. Complications of measles can include infections of the ear or brain, and in rare cases, death.
Individuals who have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, or who have been previously infected with measles, or were born before 1970, are generally protected from infection.
Locations and times of possible exposures:
- Taco Bell, 328 St Clair St, Chatham, ON, Tuesday March 19th, 2019 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM
- Walmart, 881 St Clair St, Chatham, ON, Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 from 6:00PM to 9:30PM
- Chatham-Kent Health Alliance-Sydenham Campus, 325 Margaret Ave, Wallaceburg, ON, Sunday March 24th from 7:00PM to 12:30AM on Monday March 25th.
The health unit says it is contacting individuals known to have been exposed to the virus who were at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance-Sydenham Campus.
As a precaution, the greater Chatham-Kent community is being asked to watch for the signs and symptoms of measles and to follow the recommendations below when seeking health care should these develop.
Symptoms:
- Fever, cough and runny nose
- Red, irritated eyes and light sensitivity
- Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth
- Red, blotchy rash, which is the last symptom to appear. The rash appears on the face and then spreads down over the body, and will begin to fade after about a week.
The health unit also advises that if you need to visit a healthcare provider, emergency department or walk-in clinic, call first and tell them you have measles symptoms.