The local health unit has reported four additional cases of measles in Lambton County.
Lambton Public Health (LPH) confirmed the cases on Wednesday, adding that it is working to identify anyone who could have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.
LPH has reported that community members may have been exposed to measles at the following locations:
• Peoples Church (3888 London Line, Wyoming) on Sunday, March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., or on Wednesday, April 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Lambton Central Collegiate & Vocational Institute (4141 Dufferin Avenue, Petrolia) from Thursday, April 3 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Bluewater Health Sarnia Emergency Department (89 Norman Street, Sarnia) on Tuesday, April 8 from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Bluewater Health Petrolia Emergency Department (450 Blanche Street, Petrolia) on Monday, April 7 from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8
Anyone who is not up-to-date on their vaccinations, is pregnant, or has a weakened immune system and may have been present at the above places during the listed times is urged to contact LPH at 519-383-8331.
Measles symptoms usually occur within 1-12 days but can appear up to 21 days after exposure. Those symptoms can include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and Koplik (white) spots in the mouth.
If you do develop measles symptoms, avoid contact with others and call your healthcare provider immediately.
LPH recommends calling ahead to any doctor's office, walk-in clinic, or emergency department before visiting so precautions can be taken.
More information about measles can be found here.