Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit are investigating three related cases of the measles virus, and have released a list of places and times where others may have been exposed to it within the past week.
Officials say the people who contracted the virus were either not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Dr. Carolyn Pim, associate medical officer of health with OPH says while they can't provide information about the those people or their ages, people who contract measles typically fall ill while travelling.
"If we have a cluster or an outbreak the initial cases are usually in people who've travelled to other areas of the world," she said.
The potentially dangerous disease can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain and even death.
Dr. Pim says anyone who may have come in close contact with anyone infected should get checked out.
"Measles is primarily spread through the air from people coughing or sneezing," she said. "The greatest risk is people who breathe the same air of have been in very close contact with people with measles."
People may have been exposed to the virus at the following places and times:
The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa
The Ottawa Hospital (General Campus), 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa
Carleton Place Hospital, 211 Lake Ave E, Carleton Place
Carlingwood Shopping Centre, 2121 Carling Ave, Ottawa
Kanata Superstore, 760 Eagleson Road, Kanata
The Lone Star Restaurant, 4048 Carling Ave, Kanata
People who have been vaccinated against the measles are not considered to be at risk.
Early symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and tiny white spots in the mouth. A red, blotchy rash could appear on the face within days, then spread to other body parts.
If someone suspects they or a family member has the measles, they're asked to contact a health care provider immediately.
The health units are advising people who believe they may have been in contact with the virus at the listed times to call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit at 613-345-5685.