The community of Chatham-Kent is being warned that a person infected with measles may have exposed community members to the virus.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance are reporting the exposures happened at the Chatham hospital Emergency Department from Sunday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 2:30 a.m. and again on Wednesday from 10 p.m. to Thursday at 5:30 a.m.
Health officials are asking that if you were present during the time of exposures and are not up-to date with your vaccinations, to call Chatham-Kent Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext: 5902.
The officials are also asking anyone that was present at the Chatham hospital Emergency Department during the time of exposures to check their immunization history or contact their health care provider to confirm if they and their family members are up-to-date with their measles vaccine.
"Individuals who have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, or who have been previously infected with measles, or who were born before 1970, are generally protected from infection," CK health officials said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon.
Other precautions to take include watching for symptoms of measles for up to 21 days after exposure, even if you are up-to-date with your measles vaccination, and avoid contact with vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children during this time, if you are unvaccinated.
Anyone who was present with an infant under twelve months of age, are pregnant, are immunocompromised, or have not been vaccinated against measles are advised to immediately call Chatham-Kent Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext: 5902 as they may be eligible for preventative treatment.
"Call ahead to all health care settings if you have been exposed to, are a contact of, or have symptoms consistent with measles," officials said. "This ensures that the health care settings can prepare for your arrival to prevent further exposures."
Public health officials said they are now dealing with a measles outbreak in southwestern Ontario with 19 confirmed cases as of Wednesday.
Click here for more information about measles, including signs and symptoms, how it spreads, and how it can be prevented.