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Media Release: South East Health Unit is investigating exposures to a confirmed measles case

April 10, 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.

This is in addition to three other unrelated measles exposure locations SEHU identified in Kingston earlier this week for a different positive case of measles.

This case is also unrelated to a measles outbreak previously identified in the Hastings region.

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

  Exposure Location  AddressExposure Start Date and TimeExposure End Date and Time
Nicholson Catholic College301 Church St., Belleville, OntarioApril 2/3/4, 2025 at 8 a.m.April 2/3/4, 2025 at 5 p.m.
VIA Rail, Train 66, Car 3Belleville to Kingston  April 4, 2025 at 5:10 p.m.April 4, 2025 at 8 p.m.
Tim Hortons661 Cataraqui Woods Dr., Kingston, OntarioApril 5, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.April 5, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Kingston Family Health Team – Centennial Family Physicians office including onsite LifeLabs patient service centre200-2437 Princess St., Kingston, OntarioApril 7, 2025 at 3 p.m.April 7, 2025 at 5:35 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:
    • Check your record (please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier):
    • Call your health-care provider
    • Call SEHU’s Kingston office at 613-549-1232 or its Belleville office at 613-966- 5500, ext. 221.
      • 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 seek vaccination through SEHU or primary care clinics.
      • Call before visiting a health-care setting and notify them of your recent measles exposure. This helps protect others and allows health-care providers to prepare for your visit.

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 or daycare. 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, 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:

Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
Hyland.Maureen@hpeph.ca

The South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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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.

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.