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Media release: South East Health Unit reporting new measles exposure locations

April 15, 2025

South East Health Unit (SEHU) is advising residents of potential measles exposure at several sites in the southeast region related to a new single positive case of measles.

If you attended the following locations at these dates and times, you may have been exposed to measles:

Exposure LocationAddressExposure Date and Time
Tamworth Elementary School 6668 Wheeler St., Tamworth  April 3, 2025 to April 10, 2025
Tamworth Post Office708 Addington St.,  TamworthApril 4, 2025 from 4:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m.
Lennox & Addington County General Hospital – Emergency Department 8 Richmond Park Dr., NapaneeApril 10, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 11:47 p.m.
Cineplex Kingston    626 Gardiners Rd., KingstonApril 10, 2025 from 4:20 p.m. to 8 p.m.   (‘A Minecraft movie’ 4:35 p.m. showing, the concession area and bathrooms)
Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital 403 Picton Main St., Prince Edward CountyApril 11, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

If you were at any of the above locations during the exposure times:

Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles.

  • Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory test. If you are unsure of your vaccination status:
  • Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970.
  • If you are not vaccinated or have had only one dose of measles vaccine you should monitor for symptoms, isolate at home for 21 days following your exposure and seek vaccination through SEHU or primary care clinics.

Monitor for symptoms until 21 DAYS following your exposure date (even if you are vaccinated). Symptoms of measles start seven to 21 days after exposure and may include:

  • high fever, cough, runny nose
  • red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis)
  • red blotchy rash

If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school, day care and public settings. Call your health-care provider before visiting to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions. You may also call SEHU’s Kingston office at 613 549-1232, or the Belleville office at 613-966-5500, ext. 349, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please contact SEHU immediately if you fall into any of the following categories:

  • Were with an infant under 12 months of age during exposure.
  • Are pregnant and unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity to measles.
  • Are immunocompromised.

You may be eligible for preventive treatment. In Kingston call 613 549-1232 and in Belleville call 613-966- 5500, ext. 349, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can survive on surfaces for up to two hours. Infants, pregnant individuals and those who have a weakened immune system are at higher risk of severe complications, including brain inflammation and even death.

More information on measles can be found at kflaph.ca/measles.

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Media contact:

amazur@kflaph.ca

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MEASLES UPDATE

Public Health is advising residents and visitors of multiple exposures to measles in the community.  Visit hpepublichealth.ca/measles-faqs to see where potential community exposures took place, and what to do if you were present. Please note that if you need to  book an appointment for the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine outside of the routine ages of 12 months and four to six years of age,  please call us at 613-966-5500, ext. 221.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Our offices will be closed from Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, April 22 at 8:30 a.m. 

SOUTH EAST HEALTH UNIT

As of Jan. 1, 2025 Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit have merged to form the South East Health Unit.

Partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as usual until otherwise directed.

Efforts are underway to develop branding for the South East Health Unit, which will take several months. In the meantime, you will see logos and other advertising material with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health branding. You may also see some documents using the legal name South East Health Unit.