Six new sites of potential measles exposure in C-K announced

A dark cloud has settled over Chatham-Kent over the past week: measles.

As of late Tuesday, CK Public Health announced six new measles exposure, including three schools, the YMCA and a busy road stop on Highway 401. They come fast on the heels of eight others announced locations.

The latest areas of exposure are:

• Ebenezer Christian School – Ballhawks practice (485 McNaughton Ave., E., Chatham) on March 4 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Angela Merici Catholic School – after school (801 McNaughton Ave., W., Chatham) on March 6 from 5:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the gym and common areas.
• Chatham Christian School – badminton practice (475 Keil Dr., S., Chatham) on March 4-6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• YMCA Chatham (101 Courthouse Ln., Chatham) on March 6 from 12:45 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.
• Municipality of Chatham-Kent Tilbury Municipal Office (17 Superior St., Tilbury) on March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
• ONroute Tilbury – 401 Westbound on March 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Other exposure sites include Growing Together Family Resource Centre – W.J. Baird Site, 182 King St. in Blenheim between March 4 and 7 from 7:45 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Early ON, also at W.J. Baird, March 4-6, 7:45 a.m. – 10 a.m.; Tim Horton’s at 41 Park Ave. in Chatham on March 6 between 4:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; Country Kitchen at 415 Richmond St. in Chatham on March 7 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.; Walmart in Chatham on March 7 between 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thamesview Family Health, 465 Grand Ave W. in Chatham, on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again on March 6 from 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and an exposure also occurred at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) on Feb. 15 from 2:35 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

If you were present during these timeframes and are not up-to date with your vaccinations, CK Public Health officials ask that you call their offices at 519-352-7270, ext. 5902.

If you are experiencing symptoms of measles and need to visit a health-care provider, emergency department or walk-in clinic, call first and tell them you have had an exposure and measles symptoms, officials urge.

Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability, and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three-to-seven days after the start of the above symptoms. The rash may start from the face and progress down the body.

It is important to note that the majority of individuals are vaccinated against measles, providing them with protection against the disease. As such, the risk of contracting measles remains small to the broader community.

Officials urge all individuals to ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.