A case of measles has been reported in the Kenora area.
According to a statement from Northwestern Health (NWHU), the individual is following appropriate public health measures.
NWHU said possible exposure could have occurred at the following locations and times:
Lake of the Woods District Hospital emergency department, 21 Sylvan St., Kenora, Dec. 22 between 6 and 10 p.m., Dec. 26 between 3 and 11:59 p.m., Dec. 27 between 12 and 1:30 a.m.
Kenora Library, 24 Main St., Dec. 23 between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
If you were present at those locations, are not immune (have not had two doses of the measles vaccine or lab confirmation of immunity), and you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1970, you are asked to call your local NWHU office.
NWHU recommends watching for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
Common symptoms include:
Fever
Runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough
Red, watery eyes
Small white spots inside the mouth
Rash starting on the face and spreading downward
If you were exposed and are not protected, NWHU recommends the following:
School/childcare/health-care students and workers:Â Stay home and contact your local public health unit or workplace occupational health.
No MMR doses:Â Stay home and call NWHU for direction.
One MMR dose: Contact your health-care provider or public health to receive a second dose. Notify them before arriving so precautions can be taken. (If you don’t work in healthcare, you may return to regular activities after receiving the second dose.)
High‑risk individuals (or those caring for them): Contact your healthcare provider or NWHU promptly to discuss vaccination or immunoglobulin. This includes:
Babies under one
People with severely weakened immune systems
Pregnant individuals who are not immune
Bryan Tait is an award-winning journalist based in New Brunswick. He’s a 2008 graduate of St. Thomas University’s journalism program, and a 2021 graduate of the University of New Brunswick’s law program. Contact Bryan at taitb@radioabl.ca.