Toronto confirms adult measles case, lists locations of potential exposure

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a confirmed case of adult measles in the city.

A “travel-related” case was lab-confirmed and the health department says they are following up on known contacts who were at risk of being exposed.

TPH has released a list of times and locations where people may have been exposed to the virus:

• April 14 – Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St.: Emergency Department Ambulatory waiting room, between 11:15 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.
• April 15 – Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St.: Emergency Department Ambulatory Area, between 1:40 a.m. and 5:40 a.m.
• April 18 – Harbourfront Apple Tree Medical Clinic, 8 York St.: Unit # 4, between 12:30 and 5 p.m.
• April 19 – Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Emergency Department Rapid Assessment Centre, between 10 p.m. and 12:45 a.m.
• April 20 – Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Tropical Diseases/Liver/Immunodeficiency Clinic waiting room, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• April 20 – Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Blood Collection/Diagnostic Test Centre and Pre-Admission Clinic waiting room, between 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• April 21 – Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St.: Tropical Diseases Liver/Immunodeficiency Clinic waiting room, between 9:50 a.m. and 11:50 a.m.
• April 21 – Blood Collection/Diagnostic Test Centre and Pre-Admission Clinic waiting room, between 11:35 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Last year there was one confirmed measles case in Toronto. The five-year average in the city is two cases per year.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily to those who are susceptible,” reads a TPH release. “Anyone who has not had two doses of a measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV) or who has not had measles in the past is at risk of infection.”

TPH is out with the following guidelines for anyone who thinks they have been exposed:

• Check their immunization record to make sure they and their family members have two doses of measles vaccinations (MMR or MMRV). Those who are unsure are asked to check with their health care provider. Two doses are recommended for anyone born after 1969. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.
• Even individuals who are up to date with measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles. These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), red eyes or sensitivity to light and a red rash lasting four to seven days.
• Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider as soon as possible and not attend work or school. People concerned about symptoms should call their health care provider before going to see them to inform them that they may have been in contact with someone who has measles.
• Infants under one year of age, pregnant individuals and people with weakened immune systems can become very ill with measles. These individuals, their parents or caregivers who may have been at the above-named locations when they could have been exposed to measles are encouraged to call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 to discuss follow-up recommendations.