As the number of cases and exposures continues to grow, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has opened a Measles Information Centre.
Located at the Chatham campus, the centre’s goal is to provide guidance to those who have been exposed to the disease who are not fully vaccinated.
According to a media release, visits to the information centre must be pre-arranged. If you or your child have been exposed to the illness and are not fully vaccinated, you are asked to call CKHA at 519-352-6400 for instruction on how to visit the centre.
People born before 1970, who have had a measles infection the in the past, or who received two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered immune.
Pregnant or immunocompromised individuals who have been exposed to the virus are asked to contact their primary health-care provider first, or the Measles Information Centre if that option isn’t available.
As an additional precaution, the CKHA has imposed patient visiting restrictions in the Women and Children’s Unit. Only two adults can visit and they must be screened and disclose their measles immunity status or wear an N95 mask. Visitors are asked to stay within a patient’s room and, if feeling unwell, to not attend the hospital.
Officials are also stepping up efforts to provide the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine.
Unvaccinated adults and children who haven’t been exposed to the virus, but would like to receive the MMR immunization are again asked to contact their primary health-care provider. However, it that’s not available, first or second doses of the MMR vaccine will be dispensed through the seasonal care clinic located at the hospital, beginning March 13.
Patients choosing an immunization will have to report to the emergency department to register and they will be taken on a walk-in basis.
Those attending the clinic, which runs Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., are asked to bring their health card and their yellow immunization card.
Local public health officials are continuing to monitor the situation and are working to prevent further transmission of measles. They are encouraging public co-operation as it is essential in managing the spread of the illness to protect the community.
A list of possible dates and times of measles exposures is available on the Chatham-Kent Public Health website. Public health reports seven unconfirmed cases of measles and more than 20 possible exposure sites as of March 12.
