Health unit warns of another measles exposure at London Children's Hospital

Health officials say those who were in the waiting room of the children's emergency room at Victoria Hospital may have been exposed to measles, the highly contagious virus that has been spreading in the region. 

Someone with measles was in the pediatric ER from about 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 20, officials with the Middlesex London Health Unit say. 

Previously, the health unit warned that someone with measles was in that waiting room on Feb. 18 from 8:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. 

"Measles cases are on the rise across the province, primarily affecting children," said Dr. Janice Mok. "As individuals seek medical attention, this has and can continue to lead to exposures within health care settings." 

Those who suspect they or their child has measles should seek medical care but health officials ask that they phone ahead so staff can take precautions to prevent further spread. 

Those who think they've been exposed should check their immunization records to make sure they're up-to-date on their measles vaccinations, which are noted as MMR or MMRV on the records. In general, those born before 1970 are considered immune against measles. 

Anyone who was exposed and is immunocompromised, is pregnant and not immune, or who was at the ER with an unvaccinated infant should contact the health unit immediately. 

People who are unvaccinated, including kids under the age of one, are at the highest risk. 

There are no confirmed cases of measles within the Middlesex-London Health Unit boundary, but there's an outbreak for areas covered by Southwestern Public Health, which includes Woodstock, St. Thomas, and Oxford and Elgin counties.