Possible measles exposure at Stratford General Hospital

Stratford General Hospital at night on Dec. 15, 2023. (Terry Kelly/CTV News)

Huron Perth Public Health is warning residents that they may have been exposed to measles at Stratford General Hospital.

Anyone who visited the emergency department on Saturday, April 5 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. is asked to monitor for measles symptoms for at least 21 days.

Those can include: a high fever, cough, runny nose, small white spots on the inside the mouth and red watery eyes. The most common sign of measles is a red blotchy rash.

The public health unit is asking anyone who was in the emergency department during the time indicated to give them a call at 1-888-221-2133, ext. 3299, especially those that don’t have both their measles vaccines, has a compromised immunity, is pregnant or was at the ER with a child under the age of one.

Measles is highly contagious and the virus can linger in the air, or on surfaces, for up to two hours after an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or breathes.

Even brief exposure can result in illness.

Anyone who suspects they may have measles is encouraged to stay home and avoid contact with others. If seeking medical treatment, call your health provider ahead of time so they can take steps to prevent the virus from infecting others.

Measles can also cause other medical complications, such as diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, it can lead to brain inflammation or even death.

Additional exposures at stores

Huron Perth Public Health also warned of additional exposures in a news release on Wednesday.

They said anyone who was at C and K Custom Kovers or Kathy’s Dry Goods in Poole, a community north of Wellesley, could have been exposed to measles. The businesses share a location.

Anyone who was at the stores on March 31 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 1 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., or April 4 between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. is encouraged to watch for symptoms.