Another child tests positive for measles in Haldimand-Norfolk, possible exposure site in Brantford

A child is recovering at home after testing positive for measles in the Haldimand-Norfolk area.

In an update posted on Saturday, Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) said there are 10 confirmed cases of measles in their coverage area that includes Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Brant County and the City of Brantford.

People may have been exposed to the virus at the following locations:

Bethel Baptist School, 4059 Highway 3 East, Simcoe (Jan. 20 – 21, 2025 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.)

Grey Gretzky Medical Centre, 422 Grey Street, Branford (Jan. 22 between 10:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.)

On Thursday, GEPH had nine confirmed cases of measles. Three of the cases involved children and the remaining six were adults.

Meanwhile, Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford County, Elgin County and St. Thomas, confirmed they also had one active case.

Measles symptoms

Symptoms include a rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and fatigue.

Measles is an airborne disease, and can hang around in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left.

Measles is considered contagious from four days before and four days after a rash appears. Symptoms can start between 7 and 21 days after exposure.

Seeking treatment

Anyone experiencing symptoms, or anyone who believes they may have had contact with an infected person, is advised to:

Monitor for symptoms, even if you’ve been vaccinated

Check your vaccination records to see if your shots (MMR or MMRV) are up-to-date

People with a weakened immune system (including infants under 12 months of age, pregnant individuals or anyone unvaccinated) should contact their doctor immediately by phone

In some cases, patients will be given a post-exposure prophylaxis, a treatment to reduce the risk of infection or serious illness.

If your healthcare provider is not available to see you, patients are asked to contact Grand Erie Public Health at 519-753-4937 (Brantford-Brant office) or 519-426-6170/905-318-6623 (Haldimand-Norfolk office), or Southwestern Public Health at 1-800-922-0096.