Urgent Alert: Measles Exposures Reported in Stratford, Wingham, and Listowel!

A fourth community exposure of measles has been officially reported in Listowel, and health officials are sounding the alarm over several additional exposures across the region.

This serious health concern is brought to light by Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH), who have confirmed multiple cases of potential measles exposure in local hospitals from this past weekend.

Key Exposure Points

Key exposure points include:

Listowel Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department: Visitors between March 28, 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. may have been exposed.

Stratford General Hospital’s ER Waiting Room: Possible exposure occurred on March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Wingham and District Hospital’s Emergency Room: Exposure alerts are given for March 28 from 9:30 p.m. to March 29 at 1:15 a.m. and again on March 30 from 1:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.

What to Do If Exposed

If you or a family member were present in these locations during the specified times and were born in 1970 or later without having received two doses of the measles vaccine, it is crucial to contact public health authorities immediately, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness due to measles.

Why This Matters

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications even in healthy individuals. The CDC reports that measles can result in pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Thus, rapid action is essential in containing further outbreaks.

Additional Resources

For comprehensive information regarding measles, including vaccination details, visit the HPPH website at www.hpph.ca/measles. Here, you can also find a vaccination clinic schedule and eligibility criteria.

To assess your risk from these recent exposures, utilize the HPPH's measles exposure self-assessment tool at https://bit.ly/ExposureAssessment.

Stay safe and ensure you and your loved ones are protected against this potentially deadly disease!