South East Health Unit warns of new measles exposure risks in Kingston, Belleville

The South East Health Unit is warning residents of potential measles exposure in Kingston and Belleville, linked to a new confirmed case of measles.

The health unit said in a news release Thursday that this is in addition to three other unrelated measles exposure locations it identified earlier in the week for a different positive case of measles, and that this case is unrelated to a previously reported outbreak in the Hastings region.

• RELATED: Health officials confirm measles case in Kingston, Ont. area

If you attended the following locations at these dates and times, you might have been exposed to measles:

— Nicholson Catholic College, 301 Church St., Belleville, April 2, 3, and 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day

— Car 3 of Via Rail Train 66 from Belleville to Kingston, April 4, from 5:10 p.m. to 8 p.m.

— Tim Hortons at 661 Cataraqui Woods Dr., Kingston, April 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

— Kingston Family Health Team – Centennial Family Physicians office, including onsite LifeLabs patient service centre, 200-2437 Princess St., Kingston, April 7, from 3 p.m. to 5:35 p.m.

Anyone who was at any of those locations should check their vaccination records to ensure protection from measles. They should also monitor for symptoms for 21 days following the exposure date, even if vaccinated.

Symptoms of measles start between seven to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever, cough, runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis)
• Red blotchy rash

If you who visited those sites and fall into any of the following categories, you’re asked to contact the South East Health Unit immediately:

• Were with an infant under 12 months of age during exposure
• Are pregnant and unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity to measles
• Are immunocompromised

“If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school or daycare,” the health unit says. “Call your health-care provider before visiting to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions.”

You may call the health unit’s Kingston office at 613 549-1232, or the Belleville office at 613-966-5500, ext. 349, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Public Health Ontario says from Oct. 18, 2024 to April 9, 2025, Ontario has reported a total of 816 measles cases (678 confirmed, 138 probable) associated with an outbreak linked to travel from New Brunswick. Fifteen public health units in the province are affected. There are no confirmed cases of measles in Ottawa

• RELATED: Measles ‘top of mind’ for eastern Ontario health units as regional cases grow

“The sharp increase in the number of outbreak cases and the geographic spread in recent weeks is due to continued exposures and transmission among individuals who have not been immunized,” Public Health Ontario says.