Hamilton Public Health Services is investigating a confirmed case of measles in a Hamilton adult. This person most likely caught measles while travelling, however, there may have been exposures in public settings in Hamilton. Public Health Services is currently working to identify individuals who may require follow up.
Persons who have not had 2 doses of a measles vaccine, such as MMR or MMRV, or those who have not had measles infection in the past are at higher risk.
Persons who visited any of the following public locations may have been exposed to measles:
Sunday, March 8
- Sobeys Meadowlands, 977 Golf Links Rd, Ancaster – 9:00am to 12:00pm
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1000 Golf Links Rd, Ancaster – 8:00pm to 10:10pm
Monday, March 9
- Popeye’s Chicken, 6-550 Fennell Ave E, Hamilton – 4:00pm to 6:15pm
Tuesday, March 10
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1000 Golf Links Rd, Ancaster – 1:30pm to 3:45pm
Wednesday, March 11
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 133 King St. W., Dundas – 11:35am to 1:40pm
If you were at these locations during the specified time and you have not had 2 doses of a measles vaccine or have not had (red) measles infection in the past, please see the website for further information at www.hamilton.ca. If you have additional questions, please contact Hamilton Public Health Services at 905-546-2489.
“Measles is highly contagious to susceptible people from the beginning of the illness until four days after the rash first appears,” said Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Hamilton. “Immunization is the best protection and Hamilton Public Health Services encourages all residents keep their immunizations up to date.”
Measles starts with cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and fever, and after about four days a rash begins on the face and moves down the body. Measles spreads easily to persons who are not immune. Infants under one year of age, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles. Complications of measles can include middle ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain.
If you think you may have measles and need to see a doctor, you must call ahead to the doctor’s office, walk-in clinic, or emergency department. This will allow health care staff to give you a mask to wear when you arrive and take you straight to a room in which you can be isolated to prevent giving measles to other people.
