Measles prompts Windsor Regional, Erie Shores HealthCare to restrict visitors under 16, take other precautions
People in some risk groups are asked to call the hospital before coming for appointments or emergency care
Two local hospitals are restricting visitors under the age of 16 because of the growing number of measles cases in southwestern Ontario.
Windsor Regional Hospital announced the restrictions Thursday, and Erie Shores HealthCare implemented its restrictions Friday.
Children are at greater risk from the virus, explained Steve Erwin, Windsor Regional Hospital's director of public affairs and communications, in a text to CBC.
Windsor Regional is also asking anyone who meets the following criteria to contact the hospital before coming for appointments or emergency care:
- Anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles in the past three weeks.
- Anyone who is unvaccinated.
- Anyone who has symptoms of measles.
- Anyone who has been outside Canada in the past three weeks.
The hospital is asking anyone in those groups to call 519-254-5577, dial 0 for the switchboard, and ask to speak with the department with which their appointment is booked, according to a news release issued Thursday.
It's asking those who need emergency medical care to call the same number, dial 0, and ask to speak to the emergency department before going.
In addition, officials are asking anyone who meets the above criteria to put on a well-fitted mask before entering the hospital or ask security for one
Erie Shores HealthCare will screen for measles
Erie Shores HealthCare is also restricting all visitors under the age of 16, the hospital said in a news release Friday, and anyone arriving at the hospital will undergo a measles screening at hospital entrances.
Patients and visitors exposed to measles in the last three weeks who are unvaccinated or experiencing symptoms should contact the hospital before arrival. If scheduled for an appointment, they should call the hospital switchboard at 519-326-2373 for guidance and are asked not to bring children with them.
People needing emergency medical care who also meet these criteria should call 519-326-2373 ext. 4400 so that staff can prepare for your arrival to limit exposure.
Chatham-Kent hospital opens measles information centre
In an effort to prevent further measle exposures, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has set up a measles information centre. Adam Topp, CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, said the centre has been busy, with five to nine people coming in each day since the weekend.
The centre is for people who believe they or their children are unvaccinated and have been exposed to measles. You need to call ahead and set up an appointment to receive an assessment.
"We don't have a lot of experience with measles. It hasn't been around for a number of years in the country and it's certainly come back, so it's in the community now," said Topp.
Recognizing that some people in the community may not have family doctors, Topp said they decided to set up a place where people can get support. He also said they set up the centre to prevent further measles spread in the hospital's emergency room.
He says people shouldn't be especially concerned given that many people in Ontario are vaccinated against the disease, but notes that you should be on alert if you or your kids aren't vaccinated.