Confirmed case of measles in Hamilton being investigated

TORONTO – A confirmed case of measles in a Hamilton adult is being investigated by Hamilton Public Health Services.

Public Health Services is currently working to identify and contact individuals in Hamilton, Burlington and Mississauga who may have been exposed.

Individuals who have not had a measles infection in the past or have not had two doses of a measles vaccine, such as MMR or MMRV, are at risk.

People who were at any of the following locations may have been exposed and are asked to contact Hamilton Public Health Services at 905-546-2063, Halton Public Health at 905-825-6000, or Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

Saturday March 22, 2014:

Skyzone Indoor Trampoline Park, 3636 Hawkestone Rd. Mississauga 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Queen’s Head (pub), 400 Brant Street, Burlington 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sunday March 23, 2014:

Mill Street & 5 American House, 324 Dundas St. E. Waterdown, 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Milestones Restaurant, 1200 Brant Street, Burlington, 7 p.m. to midnight

Monday March 24, 2014:

Canada Post Office, 17 Main St. N. Waterdown, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Boston Pizza, 4 Horseshoe Cres. Waterdown, 5:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday March 26, 2014:

Lakeside Variety store, 721 Beach Blvd. Hamilton, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Walmart, 90 Dundas St. E. Waterdown, 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Symptoms of measles include a cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and fever. After about four days a rash begins on the face and moves down the body. There may also be white spots inside the mouth.

“Measles is highly contagious to susceptible people from the beginning of the illness until four days after the rash first appears,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Hamilton. “To avoid spreading illness to others it’s important that ill individuals stay home.”

Infants under one year of age, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles. Complications of measles can include middle ear infections, pneumonia, croup, and inflammation of the brain.

You must call ahead before going to the doctor’s office, walk-in clinic, or emergency department if you believe you have measles. This will allow staff to be prepared to give you a mask to wear when you arrive and take you straight to a room in which you can be isolated.

WATCH: Dr. Jennifer Gardy, senior scientist for the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, explains how diseases previously believed to have been eliminated – like Measles – are making a comeback.