By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, February 6, 2015Niagara’s first case of the measles in nearly 20 years is not a risk to Hamiltonians.
“There is no Hamilton exposure,” said Carrie Beatty, spokesperson for Niagara Region Public Health.
The adult woman with the measles had travelled to Toronto on a couple of occasions recently but she didn’t take public transit.
Ontario public health officials are investigating whether there is a link between the case in Niagara and four in Toronto involving two children and two adults.
The highly contagious disease caused by a virus is circulating in Niagara and all residents are urged to get their vaccinations up to date.
Vaccines give nearly 100 per cent protection from the disease that is still one of the leading causes of death globally among young children.
Niagara’s public health department is warning anyone who was in unit C at Greater Niagara General Hospital on Portage Road in Niagara Falls that they were exposed to measles Sunday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. to Monday Feb. 2 at noon.
Others may have been exposed at the MacBain Community Centre on Montrose Road in Niagara Falls on Monday, Jan. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
And at Walmart on Oakwood Drive in Niagara Falls, including the walk-in clinic inside on Tuesday, Jan 27 from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and the Thursday, Jan 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Symptoms start out as a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and fever. A rash starts on the face after about four days and moves down the body. White spots might also appear in the mouth.
Hamilton had an outbreak a year ago with two cases in March 2014 linked to a third case elsewhere in Ontario. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)