Grand Erie Public Health is investigating a probable case of measles in the Brantford-Brant area.
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The case is related to a previously reported case of measles, confirmed by the health unit on Jan. 10. The individual is an adult resident of Brant and is recovering at home.
The health unit is reaching out to those who may have been exposed to the measles virus through this case. Through its investigation, the health unit has determined the public may have been exposed to the measles viruses at the following locations, dates, and times:
- Tahini’s Brantford, 440 Colborne St. West in Brantford on Jan. 16 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Momoko Snacks Land, 75 Dalhousie St., Unit 104 in Brantford on Jan. 16 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- White Horse Bowling, 80 Davis St. East in Simcoe on Jan. 18 between 6:45 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The health unit is also advising the public about potential risk of exposure to measles at various locations in the Haldimand-Norfolk area related to recent cases. The public may have been further exposed to measles at:
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- Tillsonburg Old Colony School, 122-216 Goshen Rd., Eden, between Jan. 9 and 13, 8 am to 5 pm
- 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, from 5 p.m. to close.
Grand Erie Public Health advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus at these locations to do the following:
- Vulnerable individuals with a weakened immune system, including infants, pregnant individuals, and those who are unvaccinated should contact their healthcare provider promptly.
Individuals at higher risk, including young children, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems, may be eligible to receive a medication called immune globulin within six days of exposure. The immunoglobulin can prevent or reduce the severity of an infection. These populations are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider by telephone to discuss treatment options prior to attending a clinic for in-person assessment.
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Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. Measles virus is an airborne disease that is spread simply by breathing in air that contains the virus.
The virus can live in the air for up to two hours when a person has coughed or sneezed. It may also be spread by direct contact with the nose or throat droplets of an infected person.
Symptoms of measles include a red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and fatigue.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears. Symptoms may start around 10 days after exposure but can start anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms generally last for one to two weeks.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should first contact their healthcare provider, or if not available, call Grand Erie Public Health at:
- Brantford-Brant office: 519-753-4937, ext. 454
- Haldimand-Norfolk office: 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623
Grand Erie Public Health is one of Ontario’s public health units. It formed in January when the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit merged.
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