Possible measles exposure in Labour and Delivery ward of Brantford hospital
The Brantford General Hospital is seen on Nov. 18, 2024. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)
Grand Erie Public Health is warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital in Brantford.
In a news release on Thursday, the health unit said anyone who was at Brantford General Hospital's Labour and Delivery Ward may have been exposed to the illness between 8:06 p.m. and 11:06 p.m. on May 26.
Babies can contract measles from their mothers while in utero.
On Thursday, Ontario's chief medical officer of health announced an unborn infant had contracted the disease before birth, was born prematurely and had died.
Dr. Kieran Moore also said the child's mother had not been vaccinated against the illness.
According to an epidemiological summary published by Public Health Ontario every Thursday, 273 cases of measles have been reported within the Grand Erie Public Health unit since Oct. 28, 2024. The number represents an increase of 25 cases since last week.
What to know about measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness.
Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.
It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
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