Just as there were reports of three confirmed travel-related measles cases in Toronto, Peel Public Health announced they were investigating a confirmed case of measles in a child from Mississauga. Members of the public may have been exposed to measles in a number of settings in Mississauga during the period of March 25-27, 2017.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

Anyone who was in the following places DURING THE TIMES LISTED may have been exposed to measles. The virus can only live outside the body (e.g., on surfaces and door handles) for up to two hours, so people who visited these locations at other times were not exposed.

  • March 25, Cora’s Breakfast Restaurant, 4559 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • March 25, Ocean’s Grocery Store, 4557 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
  • March 27, Trillium Health Partners, Credit Valley Hospital, Emergency Room, 2200 Eglinton Ave W., Mississauga, 12:30 – 6:45 p.m.

The child does not attend daycare or school.

Visitors to these locations during the times noted should do the following:

  • Check your immunization records to make sure you and your children have had two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). Your immunization record (yellow card) or your doctor can provide you with this information. Two doses of measles vaccine are recommended for anyone born after 1969.
  • Watch for symptoms of measles until 21 days after exposure. These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose); sore eyes or sensitivity to light; small spots with a white centre on the inside of the mouth; and a red rash lasting four to seven days.

Peel Public Health is working with the exposure sites to identify and follow up with anyone who visited the above locations during the times listed and may be at risk. Anyone who shows symptoms should call their health care provider immediately and tell them they have been exposed to measles. DO NOT go to any medical facility without telling them before the appointment that you have been exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily through the air. 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. Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles.

Peel is also experiencing an increase in mumps activity with eight cases this year to date. Ensuring your MMR immunizations are up-to-date is the best way to protect against measles and mumps.

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