Grey Bruce Public Health is advising the public of several locations where people may have been exposed to measles.

Public Health identified the measles exposure locations while conducting contact tracing in connection with a recent laboratory-confirmed case of measles.

GBPH believes individuals may have been exposed to the virus during these timeframes and locations:

• April 18, 2025, 11 p.m. - 1:30 a.m., Wow! Wing House, Hanover;
• April 19, 2025, 12 - 4 a.m., Danny’s Hotel, Hanover;
• April 19, 2025, 11 p.m. - 2 a.m., The Alley, Hanover;
• April 20, 2025, 12 - 4 a.m., Danny’s Hotel, Hanover;
• April 23, 2025, 2 - 4:15 p.m., Shoppers Drug Mart, Hanover.

The number of potential measles exposure locations linked to a single measles case underscores the importance of staying home when sick, particularly if experiencing measles-like symptoms.

Anyone who was present at one or more of the measles exposure locations during the above timeframes should do the following:

• Confirm vaccination status. Ensure all individuals in the household are up to date on measles vaccination. In general, those born before 1970 are considered immune to measles. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine are recommended for anyone born after 1970. If unsure of vaccination status, individuals should check with their healthcare provider or ICON.
• If not protected against measles, individuals should contact their healthcare provider or Grey Bruce Public Health to receive post-exposure treatment, if it’s been six days or less since exposure, or to receive a measles-containing vaccine for lifelong protection.
• Monitor for measles symptoms, which generally start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms can include high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash typically appears. The rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face then spread down the body, arms and legs. 
• If an individual develops measles symptoms, they should immediately isolate at home and call a healthcare provider. Household members who are not immune to measles should also stay home during this period and consult with Public Health. If medical care is required, call ahead to a healthcare facility before arriving in-person.

Measles is an airborne illness that can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. People with measles can be infectious from four days before to four days after a rash begins.

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread from an infected person to others not immune to the virus. In fact, research shows that 90% of people who come into contact with the measles virus will become infected if they don’t have immunity from vaccination or previous infection. This is why Grey Bruce Public Health is highlighting the importance of both staying home when sick and staying up to date on vaccinations,” says Gillian Jordan, Manager of GBPH’s Infectious Diseases program.

Vaccination is the best defence against measles. One dose is about 85% to 95% effective at preventing measles. With two doses, efficacy rises to almost 100%.

Ontario is currently experiencing a multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak. Between Oct. 18, 2024, and April 23, 2025, 1,020 measles cases have been reported in 15 Public Health Unit areas in the province. GBPH has been notified of six confirmed and five probable local measles cases since April 20, 2025.

GBPH conducts thorough case management and contact tracing upon notification of probable or confirmed measles cases. If Public Health cannot reach everyone who was exposed to measles during a contact-tracing investigation, it will notify the public of potential community exposure location(s).

Please visit GBPH’s dedicated Measles webpage for a list of community exposure locations as well as recommendations and eligibility for measles vaccination.