Grand Erie Public Health confirms new measles exposure locations

Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has confirmed additional measles exposure locations.

Exposure to the measles virus may have occurred at:

• • • Glen Meyer Old Colony School, 14361st Concession Rd., Langton, on Feb. 21 and Feb 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and;
    • Delhi Community Health Centre Walk-In Clinic, 105 Main St. Delhi, March 6, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Norfolk General Hospital Emergency Department, 365 West St., Simcoe, on March 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Norfolk General Hospital Emergency Department, 365 West St., Simcoe, on March 11, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Norfolk General Hospital, 365 West St., Simcoe, March 18, 2025, from 4:10 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
    • Houghton Public School, RR #5, Langton, March 17 to March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

According to a statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, the country has recorded 227 measles cases this year as of March 6, and most of them are in local communities in Ontario.

The GEPH says there are 82 confirmed cases of measles since the beginning of January, the majority of which are under 18-years-old.

Dr. Azim Kasmani, from Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) said, “the vast majority of people who are getting measles are not vaccinated.”

NRPH says the measles vaccine was effective in keeping the virus away over several years, meaning people haven’t been exposed to the virus, and they don’t know what it looks like or what the symptoms are.

Dr. Kasmani says, when students are reported as not having a vaccine, or if they have an exemption during an outbreak, we would provide those names to the school and keep those kids out of school.”

Ontario Public Health says the clinical presentation of measles include: fever, cough, runny nose, and pink eye, as well as tiny blue or white spots inside the mouth.

The virus is also known to appear as a rash on the body three to seven days later, anywhere from the neck down to the feet.

Public Health says there are no known cases of measles reported in Hamilton, and are advising anyone suspecting they have symptoms to call their family doctor.

Dr. Sarah Khan, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with McMaster Children’s Hospital says, “if you are sick and needing to go into hospital, one of the things we are asking people to do is come with someone who is immune, who can take you.”

“They can walk into the triage desk and say ‘I’m bringing in someone with measles exposure and is symptomatic,'” she said.

Anyone who was present at the school on those dates and times is encouraged to complete a self-reporting measles form by visiting www.geph.com/measlesform.

The form will collect information to complete a risk assessment and provide guidance on next steps to limit further spread of the virus.

For more information about measles including signs, symptoms, exposure location details, and what to do if you believe you may have been exposed, visit www.hnhu.org/measles.

READ MORE: Three new measles cases reported in Niagara region