Latest potential measles exposures in Waterloo Region include hospital ER and Lifelabs

People who visited hospitals in Kitchener and a Lifelabs location in Waterloo may have been exposed to measles.

The Region of Waterloo updated its list of potential measles exposures on Monday. The latest additions include:

Curex and Waterloo Guardian Pharmacy – 5-380 King Street North, Waterloo

 Tuesday, May 13 between 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.

 Friday, May 23 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

 Sunday, May 25 between 11:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen’s Boulevard Emergency Department (formerly St. Mary’s General Hospital) – 911 Queen’s Boulevard

 Saturday, May 24 between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen’s Boulevard 700 Medicine Unit (formerly St. Mary’s General Hospital) – 911 Queen’s Boulevard

 Sunday, May 25 between 11 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Conestoga College’s Doon Campus was also listed as a potential exposure site on Friday.

The latest data from Public Health Ontario showed at least 78 cases of measles reported in Waterloo Region between Oct. 28 and May 27, however Waterloo Region Public Health has reported at least 79 confirmed and 22 probably cases within the region.

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.