York Region Public Health investigating exposure to confirmed measles case

Newmarket – York Region Public Health is notifying the public of a measles exposure site related to a confirmed measles case present in York Region while infectious. If you attended this location at the date and time indicated, you may have been exposed to measles:

*NOTE: Anyone who may have been exposed at Mackenzie Health Hospital Emergency Room (Waiting Room) should immediately confirm they have two doses of measles vaccine. If you were present and you are pregnant or were with an infant under 12 months of age, or are immunocompromised, please call York Region Public Health immediately at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 77280, as you may be eligible for preventive treatment.

York Region Public Health advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus to do the following:

• Visit york.ca/MeaslesReporting to complete a brief contact follow-up survey; this will help York Region Public Health assess your risk (or those present with you) and prioritize contacts at greatest risk of becoming infected
• Confirm you and your family members have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV); those born before 1970 would likely have had measles illness as a child and are protected; immunizations are one of the safest ways to protect you, your children and your community from serious and potentially deadly vaccine-preventable diseases
• If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not attend work or school; call your health care professional before going to be seen to inform them you may have measles and require additional precautions; you may also call York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 77280 seven days a week

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. The measles virus can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Infants under one year of age, pregnant individuals and those who have a weakened immune system are at increased risk of severe complications, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and death.

Symptoms of measles start 7 to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever, cough, runny nose
• Red, watery eyes such as pink eye or conjunctivitis
• Red rash that typically starts on the head and neck that then spreads downward to the chest, arms and legs; the rash typically is not itchy and appears 3 to 7 days after the start of other symptoms

More information on measles can be found at york.ca/Measles

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with over 629,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:   
Hayden Casey, Communications and Engagement Associate, Community and Health Services, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 289-763-5045 

Email: @email 
After Hours: 905-806-1216 @email