SWPH confirms a new case of measles in the region

Southwestern Public Health is reporting one new lab-confirmed case of measles in the region that carries the risk of exposure in a healthcare setting. The individual is an unimmunized child who is currently hospitalized. It is unknown if this case is linked to a recent cluster of measles cases reported in early November.

The health unit is also investigating a second exposure in another healthcare setting related to a probable case from outside of the region. The two cases are not directly linked to each other. In both situations, the health unit is contacting people who were known to be exposed to the highly contagious virus in these two healthcare settings.

The potential measles exposures happened at these locations during these timeframes:

• November 23, 2024, between 9:00PM and November 24, 2024, at 2:36AM at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital – Emergency Department
• November 21, 2024, between 2:30PM and 5:30PM at the Aylmer Ultrasound and Aylmer Family Dental clinics located at 418 Talbot Street West, Aylmer

If you were present at these locations during these timeframes, and are not up-to-date with your vaccinations, please call public health at 1-800-922-0096.

Other actions to take if you were present at these locations 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.
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.

“We are working quite closely with both health care settings to inform all known contacts. I want to stress that there was no gap in infection control processes identified at either location,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Acting Medical Officer of Health. “This message is really intended for people who were at these locations that we cannot reach, such as people who visited even briefly during these timeframes. It is our responsibility to inform anyone as quickly as possible if they have been exposed to this virus.”

Southwestern Public Health 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 www.swpublichealth.ca/booking. Consult your health care provider if you want more information about measles vaccine eligibility for adults.

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. Learn more about measles, vaccination, and more at www.swpublichealth.ca/measles.