​Public health advising of additional measles exposure locations in Grey-Bruce

Grey Bruce Public Health is advising the public of new measles exposure locations in the area.

As part of a contact-tracing investigation, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has identified, and shared with Grey Bruce Public Health, that individuals could have been exposed to the measles virus while aboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun on the following dates and times:
 

• Thursday, July 17 - South Baymouth to Tobermory, 11 a.m. crossing, and Tobermory to South Baymouth, 1:15 p.m. crossing. 
• Monday, July 21 - Tobermory to South Baymouth, 1:15 p.m. crossing, and South Baymouth to Tobermory, 3:30 p.m. crossing.

Anyone who was on the ferry during these crossings 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 (MMR or MMRV) 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 Grey Bruce 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. For the July 17 crossing, monitor for symptoms until Aug. 7,. For the July 21 crossing, monitor for symptoms until Aug. 11. 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.

Vaccination is the best defence against measles, a highly-contagious respiratory virus. One dose of a measles-containing vaccine is about 85- to 95-per-cent effective at preventing measles. With two doses, efficacy rises to nearly 100 per cent.

Public health has created a dedicated measles web page, available at the following link: Measles – Grey-Bruce. This web page offers information about measles-containing vaccines, including when individuals should be vaccinated, along with a list of local measles exposure locations, and additional information on the measles virus, including symptoms and the virus’ infectious period.