York Region Public Health is warning the public after officials confirmed a measles exposure at a hospital in Vaughan. The exposure occurred at Cortellucci Vaughan hospital, located at 3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. W., earlier this month. The following locations and exposure dates have been identified: Emergency waiting room - Aug. 17, from 8:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m. Emergency room ambulatory care area - Aug. 17, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Emergency waiting room - Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Emergency room ambulatory care area - Aug. 21, from 11:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Officials are asking anyone who was present in the hospital’s emergency waiting room or ambulatory care area during the identified exposure periods to confirm they have received two doses of the measles vaccine, the news release read. Those who are pregnant, have an infant under the age of 12 months or are immunocompromised are being asked to contact York Region Public Health immediately. “Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours,” the release said. Officials said those who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after their initial exposure. Symptoms of measles can develop between seven and 21 days after exposure and may include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, including symptoms similar to pink eye or conjunctivitis. A red rash may also develop, typically beginning on the head and neck before spreading downward to the chest, arms and legs. The rash is generally not itchy and usually appears three to seven days after other symptoms begin.
