Life Labs, bookstore, and coffee shop in Stratford among latest potential measles exposure sites

A shot of the downtown of the City of Stratford. (CTV)

Huron Perth Public Health have added a medical facility, a book store and coffee shop in their latest list of places with potential measles exposure.

In a release on Friday, the health unit listed several new areas of concern:

• Life Labs, 106-342 Erie Street, Stratford on May 13 from 7:10 a.m. until 9:40 a.m.
• Stratford Tailoring and Alterations, 319 Ontario Street, Stratford on May 13 from 10 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
• Fanfare Books, 92 Ontario Street, Stratford on May 13 from 12:45 p.m. until 7 p.m., May 14 from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and May 15 from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• Balzac’s Coffee, 149 Ontario Street, Stratford on May 14 from 4 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.
• Buzz Shop, 17 York Street, Stratford on May 15 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

According to the latest data from Public Health Ontario, at least 214 cases of measles have been reported within Huron Perth Public Health’s jurisdiction between Oct. 28, 2024 and May 20, 2025.

That number includes 22 new cases since May 13.

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.