Measles Exposures at Local Hospitals

Huron Perth, ON – Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is advising the community of several measles exposures at local hospitals.

The exposures occurred at the following locations, dates and timeframes:

Listowel Memorial Hospital | Emergency Department | 255 Elizabeth St E, Listowel

• Friday, March 28, 2025| 9:07 a.m. to 12:21 p.m.

Stratford General Hospital | Emergency Room Waiting Room | 46 General Hospital Dr, Stratford

• Friday, March 28, 2025| 11:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.

Wingham and District Hospital | Emergency Room Department | 270 Carling Terrace, Wingham

• Friday, March 28, 2025| 9:39 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Saturday, March 29, 2025| 12 a.m. to 1:15 a.m.
• Sunday, March 30, 2025| 1:49 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Please call public health at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299, if you/your family member were present at this location during this timeframe and:

• You/your family member were born in 1970 or after and have not received two doses of measles-containing vaccines OR
• You/your family member are at high risk of severe measles illness (compromised immunity, pregnant, less than 12 months old)

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, 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.

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.

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.

If you or a family member was exposed and now have developed measles symptoms:

• Report to HPPH by calling 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299 and follow public health advice. Until you are contacted by public health, do the following:
• 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 have been exposed to measles and have developed measles symptoms, so the facility 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.