Grand Erie Public Health is alerting the public about four new measles exposure locations, including a pub, dental clinic, brewery and hospital emergency room.
Southwestern Ontario is currently experiencing a measles outbreak. According to the latest available numbers released by Public Health Ontario, there have been 177 confirmed and probable cases of measles in the outbreak, the majority in unvaccinated individuals.
Public Health Ontario data shows 79 cases associated with the outbreak were in the jurisdiction of the Grand Erie Health Unit, which includes Brantford and the counties of Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand. Those numbers include cases starting in October 2024.
Grand Erie Public Health is warning people who were at the following locations during the dates and times listed that they may have been exposed to measles:
- Blue Elephant, 96 Norfolk St S, Simcoe, on February 19, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dover Dental, 18 Chapman St E, Port Dover, on February 21, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Flux Brewery, 185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, on February 21, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Norfolk General Hospital Emergency Department, 365 West St. on February 26, 2025, from 6:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
People who were at these locations during those times, were born in 1970 or later, and are not up to date with their vaccinations are asked to contact their primary healthcare provider or public health. The health unit is also asking people who have been exposed to measles in the community to fill out an online form at www.geph.ca/measlesform, to help provide guidance on what they can do to reduce the chance of infection and limit the spread of the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread easily through an infected person’s breathing, coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms begin 7-21 days after exposure and include a high fever, pain, runny nose, red swollen eyes and cough, followed by a bright red rash.
