Possible measles exposure at Gatineau farm

Anyone who visited a farm in Gatineau, Que., two weekends ago may have been exposed to measles, as an adult and child diagnosed with the contagious infection visited the animal park on April 20.

According to the public health department of the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais, members of the public may have been exposed to measles if they visited the Éco des champs farm at 482 Eardley Road in Gatineau, Que., on April 20 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The department recommended anyone who attended the farm at that time monitor for symptoms of measles until May 11 and check if they and their children are protected against measles.

A person is considered protected if they have received two doses of the measles vaccine or were born before 1970. In Gatineau, people can verify their vaccination status or receive a measles vaccination by calling 819-776-2920. They can also make a vaccine appointment on the online portal. 

Those who develop symptoms are asked to immediately see a doctor, and take certain steps to contact health care professionals in advance of visiting.

"Since the measles outbreak began in Quebec and Ontario, no cases of measles have been confirmed in the Outaouais region," the public health department wrote.

"We remind the public that although the outbreak is over in Quebec, cases of measles can occur, and it is important to ensure protection."

First measles case in Ottawa since 2019

On Thursday, Ottawa Public Health reported that an adult and a child from Ottawa are believed to have contracted measles while traveling abroad. Theirs is the first confirmed measles case in Ottawa as an outbreak spreads across the province, with more than 1,200 people affected.

OPH has been contact tracing and is warning people who visited these places at these times that they may have been exposed to the highly contagious viral infection:

• The Food Basics at 1021 Cyrville Rd. on  April 21 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• The Costco at 1405 Blair Towers Pl. on April 23 between 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

For more information, OPH has set up a webpage and a phone line at 613-580-6744 that will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.