Potential measles exposure at 3 healthcare centres at the end of June: Toronto Public Health

Potential measles exposure at 3 healthcare centres at the end of June: Toronto Public Health

Public health agency says city has seen 5 confirmed cases of measles linked to travel outside Canada this year

Toronto Public Health is advising the public of potential measles exposure at three healthcare centres in the city at the end of June.

In a news release Sunday, the public health agency reported a travel-related case of measles.

Toronto Public Health said people may have been exposed last Sunday, June 28th at the Scarborough Health Network's general emergency room from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and at the Kids Out-patient Clinic on Tuesday, June 30th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Members of the public may have also been exposed on Monday, June 29th at the Markington Family Care and Walk-in Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parents or guardians of children under the age of one who may have been exposed are asked to contact Toronto Public Health immediately as they may be eligible for immunoglobulin treatment — which boosts the body's immune system by injecting concentrated antibodies — to help prevent infection.

In Sunday's release, the public health agency noted measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks.

The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours and contagion can occur when somebody breathes in contaminated air or touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed is asked to check their vaccination records and monitor for symptoms until July 21.

Symptoms can include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, a red rash beginning on the face and spreading down the body and Koplik spots — small blue-white spots — that generally appear on the inside of the mouth and throat, according to Toronto Public Health. The public is advised to remain vigilant of symptoms even if they have been vaccinated.

People born in 1970 or later require two doses of the measles vaccine — one dose at one year old and a second dose at four to six years old — if they have not had an infection. Anyone born before 1970 may have already had measles when the virus was common in Canada.

Anyone who may have been exposed and is visiting a clinic or hospital is asked to wear a well-fitting, medical-grade mask and to call ahead to allow the establishment to prepare and prevent spreading.

According to Toronto Public Health, the city has seen five confirmed cases of measles linked to travel outside of Canada so far this year. The public health agency says there is currently an increase in measles cases in many countries.