The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is advising the community that as of today there are 16 confirmed cases of measles in Ontario.
Individuals who have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, or have been previously infected with measles, or who were born before 1970, are generally considered protected from infection.
Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit are encouraging people to ensure that their vaccination status and that of their children is up to date by calling:
– Your health care provider
– The Health Unit at 519-355-1071 ext. 5900
As a result of the ongoing investigation into these measles cases, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was advised on February 16, 2015 of a confirmed case of measles in a person who attended the “Acquire the Fire” event, a mass gathering of youth that was held in Toronto, at Queensway Cathedral on February 6 and 7, 2015.
The Chatham Kent Public Health Unit is asking anyone that attended this event to call the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit at 519-355-1071.
Your immunization status will be reviewed to ensure you are protected.
Fortunately, most adolescents in Ontario are appropriately immunized with two doses of the measles vaccine.
If you have not been adequately immunized, you are requested to immediately self-isolate by staying at home and contact the health unit at 519-355-1071 ext. 5902.
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 first and then spreads down over the body, and will begin to fade after about
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
– 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.
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.
Photo: This is the skin of a patient after 3 days of measles infection.
