Health Unit says measles exposure locations confirmed in the district

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says it has received confirmation of measles exposure locations in the district.

This after a person visited the region on route from Cobden to Timmins.

Officials say the case is not related to the 11 cases previously reported and is being monitored by Northeastern Public Health.

According to the Health Unit, people who were at the Northgate Shopping Centre (1500 Fisher St., North Bay) or the Ontario Northland Bus Terminal (100 Station Rd, North Bay) on Saturday, March 29 from 3:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. may have been exposed to measles.

Ontario health units have also identified exposure risks on specific Northland bus routes that arrived or departed during this timeframe.  

A call centre has been opened by the Health Unit and requests individuals or parents of children who were exposed and meet the criteria below to call 705-707-1455 as soon as possible to discuss next steps:

• Infants under 12 months of age
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Individuals born after January 1, 1970, and who are not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine, or haven’t had measles in the past
• A healthcare worker or military personnel born in any year who is not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine 

The call centre will operate based on call volume from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.   

The Health Unit also asks anyone not at the exposure locations during the time indicated, or who do not meet the criteria, to refrain from contacting the call centre so phone lines can stay open for more likely to have been exposed.

For more information, visit myhealthunit.ca/measles.