Potential measles exposure at Cambridge hospital

A Cambridge Memorial Hospital sign appears in a CTV file photo.

People who visited Cambridge Memorial Hospital’s emergency department late last week may have been exposed to the measles virus.

The Region of Waterloo has updated their ongoing list of potential public exposure locations to include the hospital.

They said anyone who was at the emergency department between 5:25 p.m. Thursday and 1:25 a.m. Friday could have come into contact with the disease.

The region urges anyone who may potentially be affected to watch for symptoms until at least May 30.

What to watch for

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 the illness 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 measles from spreading to other patients.