Five new measles exposures in Southwestern Public Health region

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is advising the community of five new measles exposures in health care settings. 

The exposures occurred at the following locations and timeframes:  

St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital (Emergency Department)

• Monday, February 17 from 9:20 pm to 11:47pm
• Wednesday, February 19 from 12:55pm to 3:25pm

Woodstock General Hospital (Emergency Department)

• Sunday, February 16 from 8:00pm to 10:08pm
• Monday, February 17 from 10:38pm to 1:47am on Tuesday, February 18
• Friday, February 21 from 10:43am to 1:26pm

If you were present at these locations during these timeframes, were born in 1970 or later, and are not up-to-date with your vaccinations, please call public health at 1-800-922-0096 ext. 1232. This includes those who were only present briefly as measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours. 

SWPH is urging community members to call ahead before visiting any health care setting, including hospital emergency departments, if you have been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms consistent with measles.

Visit our measles web page to determine what actions to take if you were exposed to measles. On this web page, you will also find a list of all known recent measles exposure locations and timelines, vaccination guidance, and a Measles Exposure Risk Assessment tool to understand if you are at-risk from a measles exposure. 

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.