Measles in Ottawa up to 4 confirmed cases
Immunized adult, unimmunized child visited several businesses in mid-March
Two more cases of measles have been confirmed in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) announced Tuesday.
In a news release, OPH said one immunized adult and one unimmunized child contracted the virus from contact with a previous case.
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What are the symptoms of measles?
- Symptoms of measles may develop 7 to 21 days after exposure to an infected person.
- Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes.
- Small white spots may appear in the mouth and throat.
- A red blotchy rash begins to appear on the face 3 to 7 days after the start of symptoms, then spreads down the body to the arms and legs. This rash usually lasts 4 to 7 days.
- Symptoms generally last from 1 to 2 weeks.
(source: Ottawa Public Health)
They said these third and fourth diagnoses since March 5 are not unexpected because virtually everyone who comes into contact with the virus and is not immune will become infected.
OPH said people at the following locations and times should check with their healthcare providers if they’re unsure about their immunization status:
- March 18, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Businesses at 411 Legget Drive.
- March 18, 2014 from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Subway restaurant at 700 March Road.
- March 20, 2014, 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.: Shoppers Drug Mart at 1300 Stittsville Main Street.
- March 21, 2014, 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Nepean Sportsplex at 1701 Woodroffe Avenue.
- March 21, 2014,11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Quizno’s Restaurant at 4048 Carling Avenue.
- March 21, 2014, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Businesses at 411 Legget Drive.
If you are unimmunized, have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, are a worker in the child or health care sector or had a child under age one with you when you visited one of these locations during the times above, you’re asked to contact Ottawa Publlic Health at 613-580-6744.
Ottawa’s first confirmed case of measles in three years was announced March 5 when an unimmunized child returned from the Philippines.
Measles can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain and even death, and is more severe in adults and infants.