Potential measles exposure at Kitchener elementary school

Public health officials say there are now more than 100 confirmed or probable cases of measles in Waterloo Region. CTV’s Krista Simpson reports.

The public health unit for the Region of Waterloo is warning of potential measles exposure at a Kitchener elementary school.

At least one case has been linked to Franklin Public School.

Public Health advises anyone who was at the school between May 12 to May 15, from 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., to monitor for measles symptoms until at least June 5.

Other schools in the region have also been listed as potential exposure sites:

• Eastwood Collegiate Institute – May 6 to May 8, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (monitor for symptoms until May 29)
• St. Mary’s High School – May 8 from 8:55 a.m. to 5 p.m. (monitor for symptoms until May 29)
• Winterbourne Parochial Elementary School in West Montrose – May 2

The two high schools, Eastwood and St. Mary’s, closed last week because of a confirmed measles case.

Franklin Public School, however, would remain open for in-person learning.

"Public Health continues to work with our local school boards to investigate potential measles exposures and will communicate with impacted students, parents and staff," the health unit said in an email to CTV News. “There are multiple considerations in the assessment of each exposure. Schools and school boards make operational decisions based on public health guidance to ensure safe operations for staff and students.”

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.