Urgent Alert: Measles Exposure Risk in Oxford Area Hospitals!

In a concerning health alert, Southwestern Public Health is investigating two separate cases where the highly contagious measles virus may have been transmitted within local hospitals.

Last week, patients and visitors at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department should be aware that exposure could have occurred from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th. Similarly, those present at the Woodstock Hospital’s Emergency Department between 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th, and 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 16th, might also have been at risk.

Dr. Joyce Lock, the Acting Medical Officer of Health, emphasized the importance of informing the public about these exposures: "We are proactively working with healthcare facilities to identify and notify all known contacts. Importantly, our infection control processes were robust throughout this incident. This alert aims to reach individuals who may have been in these locations, even briefly, during the specified times and who have not been contacted directly."

The health unit is urging anyone who may have been exposed and is not fully vaccinated against measles to take precautionary measures. If you fit this description, you are strongly encouraged to call the health unit at 1-800-922-0096 for guidance.

Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious health complications, so it is crucial for the community to remain vigilant. Be sure to check your vaccination status and spread the word to ensure everyone stays safe!

Stay informed, stay safe, and don’t let measles catch you off guard!