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Measles patient visits to Woodstock and Tillsonburg ERs prompt vaccination warning

Two patients who presented at two different hospitals in southwestern Ontario last week with the measles is prompting health authorities to issue a warning to check vaccination records.

Southwestern Public Health wants unvaccinated people who were there to call for advice

A person being vaccinated for the measles.
Ontario Public Health said there was a spike in measles cases in 2024, with 63 cases. Eight that resulted in hospitalization and one person died. (CBC)

Two patients who presented at two different hospitals in southwestern Ontario last week with the highly contagious measles virus has prompted health authorities to issue a warning to check vaccination records.

One person went to the Woodstock Hospital emergency room last Wednesday evening with health officials working to contact anyone who was there between 9:30 p.m. and 1:44 a.m. the next day.

A different person was at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital last Tuesday between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

"We are being very cautious and doing due diligence, in case there was anyone there who didn't have their vaccinations so they can let us know and we can give them advice," Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Joyce Lock said Monday.

Lock cited patient confidentiality as the reason she was unable to say whether the two who were contagious were vaccinated or their ages. She was also unable to say if the virus had been contracted within the community or if the patients had been travelling. 

Communities across Canada are seeing a spike in the vaccine-preventable virus, including last year in Ontario. Public Health Ontario said there were 63 cases in 2024, including one death and eight others who were hospitalized.

Compare that to the 101 confirmed cases of measles in the province between 2013 and 2023, and never more than 22 cases in a year.

"Vaccines are the best armour against fighting infections. They're safe, and people need to make sure their records are up to date, because if not, you're always at risk," Lock said. 

The virus is highly contagious, and symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, red eyes and redness of the face and body.

People who are protected against measles are unlikely to contract the disease. Those who are not and who have been in contact with a contagious person are encouraged to get vaccinated within 72 hours, as outlined by the ministry on its website. 

Anyone who was at the following hospitals and is not up-to-date on vaccinations is asked to call Southwestern Public Health:

  • Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department on January 14, 2025, between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
  • Woodstock Hospital Emergency Department on January 15, 2025, between 9:30 p.m. and 1:44 p.m.