​Grey Bruce Public Health advises of potential measles exposure in Thornbury

Grey Bruce Public Health is advising the public of a potential measles exposure location in the area.

As part of a case management and contact-tracing investigation, a neighbouring health unit has notified public health that individuals may have been exposed to the measles virus at Ashanti Coffee, 39 Bruce St. S., Thornbury, June 7, between approximately 4:30-5:30 p.m. The exposure window is from 4:30-7:30 p.m., as the measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves the area.

Anyone who was present at this location during the exposure window should do the following:
 

• Confirm vaccination status. Ensure all individuals in your household are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations. In general, those born before 1970 are considered immune against measles. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV) are recommended for anyone born after 1970. If unsure of vaccination status, individuals should check with their health-care provider or ICON. 
• If not protected against measles, individuals should contact their health-care provider or Grey Bruce Public Health to receive post-exposure treatment, if it’s been six days or less since exposure, or to receive a measles-containing vaccine for lifelong protection.
• Monitor for measles symptoms, which generally start seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms can include high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash typically appears. The rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face, then spread down the body, arms and legs.
• If you develop measles symptoms, you should immediately isolate at home and call a health-care provider. Household members who are not immune to measles should also stay home during this period and consult with public health. If medical care is required, call ahead to a health-care facility before arriving in-person, so the facility can take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Public health units conduct case management and contact-tracing upon notification of probable or confirmed measles cases within their jurisdiction. If the public health cannot reach everyone who was exposed to measles during a contact-tracing investigation, it will notify the public of potential community exposure location(s).

Vaccination is the best defence against measles, a highly-contagious respiratory virus. One dose of a measles-containing vaccine is about 85- to 95-per-cent effective at preventing measles. With two doses, efficacy rises to nearly 100 per cent.

Grey Bruce Public Health has created a dedicated measles web page, available at the following link: Measles – Grey-Bruce. This web page includes information on measles-containing vaccines, including when individuals should be vaccinated, along with a list of local measles exposure locations, and additional information on the measles virus, including symptoms and the virus’ infectious period.