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Here's a list of potential measles exposure sites in Waterloo region, Guelph and area

Measles, the highly contagious respiratory infection that can be particularly dangerous to children, is spreading quickly across Ontario. Residents in Waterloo region and the Guelph area are being advised to be aware of potential exposures and check their vaccine status.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph declared a risk area for ongoing measles circulation on Wednesday

CBC News ·
A child's back is covered in splotchy red rashes.
Measles symptoms can include a fever, a cough, a runny nose and red eyes, as well as a blotchy red rash. Complications can include inflammation of the brain, pneumonia and even death. (phichet chaiyabin/Shutterstock)

In the wake of rising measles outbreaks across Ontario, parts of Waterloo region and the Guelph area have been identified as risk areas for exposure.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a contagious virus that spreads through the air and between people through breathing, coughing or sneezing. Public Health Ontario notes that measles remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children worldwide. 

Symptoms after a measles exposure can develop anywhere between seven and 21 days later. It begins with cold-like symptoms and can later devolve into white spots in the mouth and back of the throat and a red blotchy rash on the face and body. 

Serious complications, such as ear and brain infections, can happen. 

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health said on Wednesday that it was identified as a risk area by the province because of the community spread.

Officials there are following suit with many other regions in the province encouraging children to get vaccinated against measles earlier and to ensure that everyone has received two doses of the vaccine. 

Risk of infection becomes significantly lower if a person has both doses of the vaccine or is born before 1970. 

Anyone who believes they were in areas flagged by public health on certain days are being told to monitor, stay home if ill and seek medical attention when exposure is suspected but no symptoms have appeared. 

Those who suspect they've been exposed and are showing symptoms should stay home and call ahead before visiting a clinic. 

Below are lists of areas in Waterloo region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area that have been identified as recent sites of exposure to measles. 

People who have been exposed to the virus are asked to monitor for symptoms for 21 days and symptoms usually occur within seven to 12 days.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum is the associate medical officer of health for WDG Public Health and urged all residents to review their vaccine status and get vaccinated against measles as soon as possible. 

"While this designation from the province highlights the overall measles risk to our community, it does not change our core guidance," he said. 

There are both school and community exposures in this region. The schools affected so far are: 

  • Brisbane Public School on April 16.
  • Erin Public School on April 16 and May 1.
  • Centre Peel Public School on April 28 and 29.

Community exposures: 

  • Amaranth Auto Service on April 16, 17 and 18.
  • Kelseys Original Roadhouse in Orangeville, Ont. on April 17.
  • Mar-Span Home Hardware in Drayton, Ont. on April 21, 22 and 23.
  • Guelph Medical Place Pharmacy on April 21 and May 1.

Waterloo region

No schools have been listed as potential exposure sites for measles at this time in Waterloo region. Community exposures are:

  • Waterloo Region Health Network at Midtown Emergency Department (formerly Grand River Hospital) on April 18, 26 and 27.
  • Conestoga Mall on April 22.
  • Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on April 24 and 25.
  • Chick-fil-A in Cambridge, Ont. on May 1.
  • Elite Auto Care in Cambridge, Ont. on May 2.
  • V Nails and Beauty on May 2.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart at 700 Strasburg Road in Kitchener on May 3 and 4.
  • Waterloo Region Health Network (formerly St. Mary's General Hospital) Emergency Department on May 3, 4 and 5. 

Ongoing and detailed information on measles exposures in the region can be found on their website. 

'There is no shortage' of vaccines as cases rise

A woman in formal attire speaks behind a wooden lecturn.
Sylvia Jones is sworn in to cabinet as deputy premier and minister of health during a ceremony in Toronto in March. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Premier Doug Ford addressed the outbreak during a press conference Wednesday, saying that the province's approach is working so far. 

"Sufficient supplies of vaccines for measles were given and are available. There is no shortage," said Jones. "So the education and the work that our public health units are doing is critically important in those communities that are experiencing those outbreaks."

Despite sufficient vaccines, CBC News reported that there have been more than 1,300 cases of the virus since October. Many of those cases are in children. 

Public health units have continued to stress the importance of vaccinating children as early as possible. Children six months of age and older are able to receive their first dose and are recommended to receive a second dose after their first birthday.

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