Dentist office in Brantford and business in Harley identified as potential measles exposure sites

An undated stock image of a virus. (Courtesy: Grand Erie Public Health)

Grand Erie Public Health has added two more locations to their ongoing list of potential measles exposure sites.

In an update on Thursday, the health unit said people who were at Clarence Street Dental in Brantford on May 8, between 9:45 a.m. and 12:40 p.m., may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

Meanwhile, people who were at Stubbe’s Precast on Muir Line in Harley may have also been exposed to the illness on May 5 and May 6 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Public Health Ontario releases updated case counts every Thursday.

In the May 22 summary, Public Health Ontario said at least 236 cases of measles were reported within Grand Erie Public Health’s jurisdiction as of May 20. That represents an increase of 14 cases from the previous week.

The neighbouring Southwestern Public Health is also struggling to contain the spread of measles, with 672 cases reported as of May 20, an increase of 98 cases.

What to know about measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness.

Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.

It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.