Grey Bruce Public Health advises of measles exposure in Hanover

Grey Bruce Public Health is advising the public of several locations where people may have been exposed to measles.

Public health identified the measles exposure locations while conducting contact-tracing in connection with a recent laboratory-confirmed case of measles.

The agency believes individuals may have been exposed to the virus during these time-frames and locations:
 

• April 18, 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Wow! Wing House, Hanover
• April 19, 12-4 a.m., Danny’s Hotel, Hanover
• April 19, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., The Alley, Hanover
• April 20, 12-4 a.m., Danny’s Hotel, Hanover
• April 23, 2-4:15 p.m., Shoppers Drug Mart, Hanover

The number of potential measles exposure locations linked to a single measles case underscores the importance of staying home when sick, particularly if experiencing measles-like symptoms.

Anyone who was present at one or more of the measles exposure locations during the above time-frames should do the following:
 

• Confirm vaccination status. Ensure all individuals in the household are up-to-date on measles vaccination. In general, those born before 1970 are considered immune against measles. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine are recommended for anyone born after 1970. If unsure of vaccination status, individuals should check with their health-care provider or ICON. 
• If not protected against measles, individuals should contact their health-care provider or public health to receive post-exposure treatment, if it’s been six days or less since exposure, or to receive a measles-containing vaccine for life-long protection.
• Monitor for measles symptoms, which generally start seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms can include high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash typically appears. The rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face then spread down the body, arms and legs.
• If you develop measles symptoms, you should immediately isolate at home and call a health-care provider. Household members who are not immune to measles should also stay home during this period and consult with public health. If medical care is required, call ahead to a health-care facility before arriving in-person, so the facility can take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Ontario is currently experiencing a multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak. Between Oct. 18, 2024, and April 23, 2025, 1,020 measles cases have been reported in 15 public health unit areas in the province. Public health has been notified of six confirmed and five probable local measles cases since April 20.

Measles is an airborne illness that can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. The virus can spread easily to others when an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes, and another person breathes in the virus particles. People with measles can be infectious from four days before to four days after the rash begins.

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread from an infected person to others not immune to the virus,” says Gillian Jordan, manager of public health’s infectious diseases program. “In fact, research shows that 90 per cent of people who come into contact with the measles virus will become infected if they don’t have immunity from vaccination or previous infection. This is why Grey Bruce Public Health is highlighting the importance of staying home when sick and staying up-to-date on vaccinations.”

Vaccination is the best defence against measles. The efficacy of a single dose of a measles-containing vaccine is estimated to be 85-95 per cent. With a second dose, efficacy is almost 100 per cent.

As part of Ontario’s publicly-funded vaccine schedule, babies should receive a measles vaccine at one year of age and children should receive a second dose at ages four and six.

Vaccination is also publicly-funded for adults if they have never had measles or been vaccinated.

Adults born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired natural immunity to measles; however, susceptible health-care workers, travellers to places outside Canada, and military personnel should receive a measles vaccine, regardless of birth year.

Infants, aged six to 11 months, as well as children, aged one to four years, and adults, aged 18 or older, born on or after 1970, may be eligible to receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine if they live in, or will be travelling to, an area experiencing a measles outbreak.

Visit public health’s dedicated Measles web page for a list of community exposure locations as well as recommendations and eligibility for measles vaccination.