The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is advising that an individual infected with measles may have exposed community members to the virus at the time and location listed below.
The Health Unit is advising these people, and the broader community, to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, as this list may not include all possible exposures.
Measles is spread through the air. Complications of measles can include pneumonia, ear infections, brain infections, other infections and in rare cases, death.
Individuals who have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, or who have been previously infected with measles, or who were born before 1970, are generally protected from infection.
Location and time of possible exposure:
Blenheim Arena
199 King St., Blenheim, Ontario
Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Health Unit is contacting individuals known to have been exposed to the virus who were at Blenheim Arena between those times.
As a precaution, the community is being asked to watch for the signs and symptoms of measles and to follow the recommendations below when seeking health care should these develop.
Symptoms:
• Fever, cough and runny nose
• Red, irritated eyes and light sensitivity
• Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth
• Red, blotchy rash, which is the last symptom to appear. The rash appears on the face and then spreads down over the body, and will begin to fade after about a week.
If you develop symptoms:
• Stay home and don’t allow others to visit for at least four days after the rash starts
• Call the Health Unit at 519.355.1071 ext. 5902 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• Contact your health care provider BY PHONE.
Please note: If you need to visit a healthcare provider, emergency department or walk-in clinic, call first and tell them you have measles symptoms.
If you have general health questions or questions about your vaccination status:
• Call the Health Unit at 519.355.1071 ext. 5900 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
More information about measles, including signs and symptoms, how it spreads and how it can be prevented, is available on the Health Unit’s website, www.chatham-kent.ca or http://ckphu.com.
