Grey Bruce health unit warns of potential measles exposure at several locations

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Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) is advising residents who visited several businesses in Hanover that they may have been exposed to measles earlier this month. The health unit says the exposure is connected to a recently confirmed case and was identified through contact tracing efforts.

Officials say people may have been exposed at the following locations:

• Wow! Wing House on April 18 between 11 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
• Danny’s Hotel on April 19 and 20 between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.
• The Alley on April 19 between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart on April 23 between 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

The health unit says the situation underscores how easily measles can spread and stresses the importance of staying home when sick, especially if experiencing symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose or rash.

Health experts are urging anyone who was at the listed locations during those times to review their vaccination records. They say people born before 1970 are generally considered immune, but those born afterward are advised to have two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Anyone unsure of their immunization status are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or ICON.

Anyone concerned about possible measles exposure who isn’t vaccinated or immune should contact a doctor or the health unit to discuss post-exposure treatment.

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread from an infected person to others not immune to the virus. In fact, research shows that 90 per cent of people who come into contact with the measles virus will become infected if they don’t have immunity from vaccination or previous infection,” stated Gillian Jordan, manager of GBPH’s infectious diseases program.

Measles is an airborne illness that results in symptoms such as a high fever, cold-like symptoms, sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. Roughly three to seven days after symptoms a rash typically appears on the face and spreads down the body, arms and legs.

Ontario is currently grappling with a multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak. Between Oct. 18, 2024, and April 23, more than 1,000 cases have been reported across 15 public health units. In Grey Bruce, six confirmed and five probable cases have been reported in the last 15 days.