Southwestern Public Health today is reporting seven potential measles exposures in area hospitals.
This includes in the emergency department at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Jan. 26, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:52 p.m.
If you were at the hospital at this time, were born in 1970 or later, and are not up-to-date with your vaccinations, you are asked to call the health unit at 1-800-922-0096 ext. 1232, even if you were in the emergency department for a brief period of time.
The other exposures are as follows:
- Woodstock Hospital – Emergency Department (310 Juliana Drive, Woodstock) between 9:30PM on January 15 and 1:44AM on January 16
- Alexandra Hospital – Emergency Department (29 Noxon Street, Ingersoll) between 11:57PM on January 17 and 2:13AM on January 18
- Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department (167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg)
between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on January 25 - Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department (167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg)
between 10:37PM on January 26 and 12:45AM on January 27 - Woodstock General Hospital – Emergency Department (310 Juliana Drive, Woodstock) between
10:41AM and 1:15PM on January 27 - Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department (167 Rolph Street, Tillsonburg)
between 10:00PM on January 27 and 12:15AM on January 28
Actions to take if you were present during these times:
1. Check your immunization history or contact your health care provider to confirm if you and your family members are up-to-date with your measles vaccinations (MMR or MMRV). Two doses are generally recommended for anyone born in or after 1970. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.
2. Watch for symptoms of measles for up to 21 days after exposure, even if you are up-to-date with your measles vaccinations. During this time, if you are unvaccinated avoid contact with vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals and children.
3. Those who were present with an infant under twelve months of age, are pregnant, or are immunocompromised, are advised to immediately call public health at 1-800-922-0096 as you may be eligible for preventive treatment.
4. Call ahead to all health care settings if you have been exposed to, are a contact of, or have symptoms consistent with measles. This ensures that the health care settings can prepare for your arrival to prevent further exposures. Measles is a reportable disease of public health significance that can result in complications such as diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Rarely, measles can cause brain infections and death. Visit http://www.swpublichealth.ca/measles for more information.
Southwestern Public Health also offers this advice to the general community:
• Stay home if you are unwell. If you think you have measles, isolate immediately and call your health care provider to discuss testing. Call before visiting any health setting so that they can prepare for your arrival.
• Know your immunization history. Measles immunization is very effective, with two doses of vaccine providing up to 99% protection. Visit www.swpublichealth.ca/vaccineswork to review your vaccination record. Contact your health care provider if you do not have your vaccination record or are missing vaccinations.
• Stay updated with routine vaccinations. Children attending school in Ontario routinely receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine (one dose after their first birthday and the second dose at 4 years of age). Infants from 6 to 11 months can also receive a measles vaccination if they are travelling to or reside in an area of concern. Public health vaccinates children up to 18 years of age – find appointments for children online at http://www.swpublichealth.ca/booking. Consult your health care provider if you want more information about measles vaccine eligibility for adults.
