The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit believes a person in the community may have exposed others to measles.
The health unit said it is still waiting for lab confirmation, but added it is a probable case of the virus. It said in a news release that anyone in the community should be aware of symptoms and take them seriously.
"Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air, close or direct contact with respiratory secretions, as well as through articles of clothing/bedding with infectious discharge present," the health unit said in the release. "Complications of measles can include infections of the ear or brain, and in rare cases, death."
The unit said the potential times and areas of exposure are as follows:
- Taco Bell, 328 St Clair St, Chatham, ON, Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Walmart, 881 St Clair St, Chatham, ON, Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Chatham-Kent Health Alliance—Sydenham Campus, 325 Margaret Ave, Wallaceburg, ON, Sunday, March 24th from 7 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25.
As a precaution, the community is being asked to watch for the signs and symptoms of measles and to follow the recommendations when seeking health care if they develop.
Symptoms include:
- Fever, cough and runny nose
- Red, irritated eyes and light sensitivity
- Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth
- Red, blotchy rash, which is the last symptom to appear. The rash appears on the face and then spreads down over the body, and will begin to fade after about a week.
It advised anyone leaving their home to seek health care to inform the facility of measles symptoms immediately
The health unit added individuals who have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, have been previously infected with measles, or were born before 1970 are generally protected from infection.