Grand Erie Public Health warns of possible measles exposure at hospital

Public Health Ontario says measles cases in the province have doubled in past two weeks

People who visited the Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe on Tuesday may have been exposed to the measles virus.

Grand Erie Public Health said it may have happened between 4:10 p.m. and 6:40 p.m.

Anyone who was at the hospital between those hours are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and fill out a measles exposure form.

An ongoing list of other potential exposure sites is available on the health unit’s website.

Measles symptoms

Symptoms of measles include a fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes and a cough, but it can also cause more serious complications including pneumonia and brain infections, leading to hospitalization.

Other symptoms can include ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory failure and encephalitis. Long-term complications can include blindness, deafness and brain injuries.