Health officials warn of possible measles exposure at Scarborough hospital, clinic

Health officials in Toronto have issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure at a Scarborough hospital and a walk-in clinic. The alert is connected to a travel-related case of the highly contagious virus, with exposure windows identified in late June.

According to Toronto Public Health, individuals who were in the emergency waiting room at Scarborough Health Network General Hospital on June 28 between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., or at the hospital’s kids out-patient clinic on June 30 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., may have been exposed. Additionally, exposure may have occurred at the Markington Family Care and Walk-in Clinic on June 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Anyone exposed to measles should check that they’ve been fully vaccinated against the disease, officials say, and monitor for symptoms like fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and rashes until July 21.

Public health authorities are urging anyone who might have been exposed to confirm they are fully vaccinated against measles. They should also monitor for symptoms, which include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and rashes, until July 21. Parents and guardians of infants under one year old who may have been exposed are specifically advised to contact Toronto Public Health or 311 immediately for potential treatment.

Measles is known to spread easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for over two hours. Toronto Public Health has confirmed five measles cases linked to international travel so far this year.

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Parents and guardians of infants under one year old who may have been exposed are urged to contact Toronto Public Health or 311 immediately for possible treatment.