Measles case confirmed, 3 community exposure points reported in Chatham-Kent
CBC News | Posted: March 7, 2025 6:38 PM | Last Updated: March 7
Windsor health officials confirmed a case linked to a Ruthven school recently
Health officials in Chatham-Kent have identified a case of measles in the community, just days after Windsor's public health unit also confirmed a case.
The case is in a child who attended Chatham Christian School, and the CK Public Health says families of affected students have been notified.
Health officials have also identified three points of exposure:
- Thamesview Family Health Team at 465 Grand Ave. W. on March 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Thamesview Family Health Team at 465 Grand Ave. W. on March 6 from 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Emergency Department at 80 Grand Ave. W. on Feb. 15 from 2:35 p.m. to 5:31 p.m.
Later Friday afternoon, health officials identified six more points of exposure in the community.
- YMCA Chatham at 101 Courthouse Lane on Feb. 25, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Chatham Christian School Celebration of Learning Event at 475 Keil Dr. S. on Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Chatham Christian School Discovery Day Kindergarten registration at 475 Keil Dr. S. on Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- No Frills Chatham at 835 Queen St. on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Tilbury Walk-In Clinic at 15 Mill St. E. on March 5 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tilbury Walk-In Clinic at 15 Mill St. E. on March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone who was present at these locations during these time frames and is not up to date on their vaccinations is asked to call CK Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902.
If you have symptoms of measles and need to visit a health care provider, CK Public Health advises residents to call first and tell them you have had a measles exposure and symptoms to they can prepare to prevent exposure.
Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three to seven days after the start of the above symptoms," public health says. "The rash may start from the face and progress down the body."
CK Public Health says that the "vast majority" of people are vaccinated and the risk of contracting the potentially deadly virus is small for the community at large — though people are urged to confirm they are up -to-date on their vaccinations.
Earlier this week, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit identified a case of measles in a child who attended Cornerstone Christian Academy in Ruthven.
Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, the local medical officer of health, said there have been about 200 reported cases in southwestern Ontario in recent weeks.