Health unit warns of possible exposure to measles in City of Kawartha Lakes

The health unit representing the City of Kawartha Lakes is warning residents after a person became ill with measles after travelling outside the country.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit says the infected individual visited several locations in Lindsay and one in Janetville between March 28 to April 8 before realizing they were ill.

Health officials are concerned other residents could be exposed since measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air.

The infected person visited the following locations and the health unit warns anyone who was in the same places during the times indicated may have been exposed:

• Cambridge Mall, 18 Cambridge St. S. Lindsay on March 28 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.); March 30 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m); March 31 (10 a.m.- 5 p.m.); April 2 (10 a.m.-  5 p.m.); April 3 (11 a.m. to 5 .p.m)
• Reid’s Valu-Mart, 42 Russell St. W. on March 31 (2 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.)
• Doctor’s office, Lindsay Professional Building, 65 Angeline St. N, on April 3 (9 a.m. – noon); April 4 (8:45 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.); April 5 (8:45 a.m. – noon); April 6 (8:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m)
• Life Labs, 86 Angeline St. S on April 3 (10 a.m.- 1 .p.m.); April 4 (8 a.m.-10:45 a.m.); April 5 (8 a.m.-10:45 a.m.); April 6 (8 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.)
• Tim Hortons located at Whitney Town Centre on April 4 (8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
• And at the Royal Gardens Food Mart View Lake, 4793 Regional 57 Rd. in Janetville on March 30 (2:30 p.m. – 4:35 p.m.)

The health unit says the measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed. Symptoms include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and white spots in the mouth.

Symptoms can appear approximately 10 to 14 days after exposure, and in some cases up to 21 days after exposure.

If anyone visited any of the above locations during the time identified, they are asked to check their immunization records and keep a close eye on their health for the next 21 days. If anyone develops any symptoms, immediately call their health care provider and inform them they have been exposed to measles.

“Do not go to the doctor or a hospital without telling them before that you have been exposed to measles,” the health unit stated.

People can still become ill with measles if they have been immunized, but it may be a milder form. Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can suffer severe complications.