London, ON – The Health Unit is advising individuals to watch for measles symptoms after confirming one individual infected with the virus may have exposed community members present at the times and locations listed below.

The individual risk of infection is low. Also, individuals who have received two doses of measles vaccine, who have been previously infected or who were born before 1970 are generally protected from infection. However, the Health Unit is asking the community who may have been exposed at the following times and locations to watch for measles symptoms as a precaution.

Locations and Times of Possible Exposure

• Adelaide Southdale Medical Centre – Walk-in Clinic
  769 Southdale Rd East, Unit 9A, London, Ontario
  On Friday, March 7 from 1:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Campus, Emergency Department
  800 Commissioners Rd East, London, Ontario
  On Friday, March 7 from 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, General Medicine Outpatient Clinic Waiting Room, Fourth Floor
  339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario
  On Monday, March 10 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Walmart in White Oaks Mall
  1105 Wellington Rd. South, London, Ontario
  On Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Metro at Commissioners and Wellington
  395 Wellington Road, London, Ontario
  On Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Shopper’s Drug Mart at Adelaide and Southdale
  900 Adelaide St South, London, Ontario
  On Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Health Unit is contacting known individuals who have been exposed to the virus at Adelaide Southdale Medical Centre – Walk-in Clinic, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Campus, Emergency Department and London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, General Medicine Outpatient Clinic Waiting Room, Fourth Floor.

Symptoms:

• 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.

If you develop symptoms:

• Stay home and don't allow others to visit for at least four days after the rash starts
• Call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2330 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) 
• Contact your healthcare provider by phone. Please note: If you need to visit a healthcare provider, call first and tell them you have measles symptoms.

"Measles can result in serious complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, brain infections, other infections, and in rare cases death," explains Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. "It's spread through air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, which is why we're concerned about potential measles exposure in the community."

If you have general questions or questions about your vaccination status:

• Call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2330 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) 

More information about measles, including signs and symptoms, how it spreads, and how it can be prevented is available from the Measles Fact Sheet.

Media Contact:
Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 ext. 2560 or 226-236-1941 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health