Measles case found in Hamilton

Public health officials have confirmed acase of measles in Hamilton.

Ontario's health minister Eric Hoskins had said last week,"knock on wood we are measles free in the province," but the Hamilton case was announced Wednesday.

A Hamilton adult likely caught the measles out of town, but may have exposed others in public settings in Hamilton, public health officials said Wednesday. They are working to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus. They're also having a sample of the virus tested in Winnipeg to determine whether it was a "travel-related" or Ontario case.

"It is unlikely that this case is part of the current measles cluster in Ontario as this person was travelling outside of Ontario during most of the period when they could have caught measles," said Hamilton public health spokeswoman Tara Hall.

Places where people may have been exposed to measlesinclude:

• Sunday, March 8: Sobeys Meadowlands in Ancaster(9 a.m. to noon)
• Sunday, March 8: Shoppers Drug Mart on Golf Links Road in Ancaster(8 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.)
• Monday, March 9: Popeye's Chicken on FennellAve. (4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 10: Shoppers Drug Mart in Ancaster (1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.)
• Wednesday, March 11: Shoppers on King St. W. in Dundas (11:35 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.)

Those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine or have not had measles before have a higher risk of contracting the disease.

If you were at any of these locations during these times and have not had two doses of the vaccine or had measles previously, visit this city website for more informationor callHamilton Public Health Services at905-546-2489.

If you think you have measles, call ahead before you go see your doctor or visit a walk-in clinic or emergency room because staff will need to give you a mask to wear and take you immediately to an isolation room.