Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure at various locations in the city during early October. Individuals who visited certain restaurants, grocery stores, and a pharmacy may have been at risk of contracting the highly contagious viral infection.
The specific locations and times of potential exposure are as follows:
– Tim Hortons at 3224 Hawthorne Rd. near Stevenage Drive on Thursday, Oct. 1, between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
– Your Independent Grocer at the Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre on Friday, Oct. 2, between 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.
– Rexall drug store at the Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre on Oct. 2, between 3:45 and 6 p.m.
– Metro grocery store at 2261 Walkley Rd. near St. Laurent Boulevard on Oct. 2, between 4 and 6:15 p.m.
– Subway at 3190 Hawthorne Rd. near Stevenage Drive on Oct. 2, between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
– McDonald’s at 1796 St. Laurent Blvd. near Industrial Avenue on Oct. 2, between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
– Ruby’s Restaurant at 10 York St. in the ByWard Market on Oct. 2, between 6:30 and 9 p.m.
– Tim Hortons at 2800 Lancaster Rd. near Walkley on Sunday, Oct. 3, between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
OPH reported that two Ottawa residents contracted measles after exposure outside of Ontario. Efforts have been made to notify known contacts, and a public advisory has been issued to raise awareness among others potentially affected.
Individuals who were present at the mentioned locations and times are advised to check their measles vaccination status and watch for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, irritated eyes, white spots in the mouth, or a red rash starting on the face. Symptoms typically manifest within 21 days, so vigilance is recommended until Oct. 22 to 24 for those who visited the identified locations.
For those who may develop symptoms within the specified timeframe, detailed instructions are available on what actions to take. OPH emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure against measles.
