The Northwestern Health Unit is advising residents in the Kenora area of possible exposure to measles after a confirmed case was diagnosed last week.
According to an advisory issued by the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) on Monday, individuals at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital emergency department on Dec. 22 from 6-10 p.m. may have been exposed.
Additional exposure locations include the Kenora Library on 24 Main St. on Dec. 23 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital emergency department on Dec. 26 and 27 between 3 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications,” the advisory from the health unit reads. “The virus can live in the air for up to two hours, even after the person with measles has left the area. A person with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.”
The virus can spread through the air from coughing or sneezing. The first symptoms of measles are a fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and red, sore, watery eyes.
Some people may also get small spots in their mouth and a rash usually appears after two to three days and starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
Individuals born before Jan. 1, 1970 or who have had two doses of the measles vaccine are considered immune.
Anyone born after 1970, has not had two doses of the measles vaccine, and was in locations at the designated times of possible exposure is encouraged to contact their local Northwestern Health Unit office.
Those who may have been exposed and are not protected are encouraged to stay home, particularly school, childcare, and health-care workers.
Those at high risk include infants under one year old, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals.
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days from the time of exposure.