Several new possible measles exposure points have been reported in Chatham-Kent and the municipality’s top doctor expects the virus will continue to spread.
Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai provided an update to the Chatham-Kent Board of Health on Monday regarding measles within the municipality.
“Measles is here. It’s here in Ontario and it’s here in Chatham-Kent,” he said. “This is also an entirely manageable situation.”
According to Dr. Nesathurai, there are currently 18 confirmed cases of measles within the municipality but that number is likely higher due to unreported infections. He added that the majority of the cases are among people who have not been vaccinated for measles.
While the vast majority of people living in Chatham-Kent are protected against measles through vaccination, Dr. Nesathurai said the health unit expects to see cases of the virus rise in the next few weeks.
“Measles is the most infectious disease that we commonly treat. One person with measles can transmit the illness to 12-18 other people,” said Dr. Nesathurai. “If one person in a household has measles, everyone in that household who has not received a vaccine will likely get measles.”
Children are typically vaccinated for the virus twice — once at the age of one and again between the ages of four to six.
Dr. Nesathurai said he has advised physicians within Chatham-Kent to examine children between the ages of six months to one year and make a “risk determination” if they should receive the vaccine early.
“The public health service and by extension the Board of Health, we’re all concerned about measles… I think we’re all worried about it but the question is, what can we do?” he said. “We’re doing things to manage measles in the community and mitigate and minimize the risk to the population.”
These measures include working with individuals who have been diagnosed with measles to provide them with public health guidance and recommendations for isolation periods and medical treatment. The health unit also traces where infected individuals have been to determine possible areas of exposure.
The health unit reported several new possible exposure points in the municipality on Monday. Any resident who has attended one of the following locations during the specified time period may have been exposed to the measles virus:
- John D. Bradley Centre (565 Richmond St., Chatham)
March 8th, 2025
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm - Gregory Drive Alliance Church (255 Gregory Drive W., Chatham)
March 9th, 2025
9:00 am – 2:00 pm - Emmanuel Baptist Church (100 McNaughton Ave., W., Chatham)
March 9th, 2025
9:30 am – 1:30 pm - McDonald’s Restaurant (411 St Clair St., Chatham)
March 10th, 2025
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
March 11th, 2025
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
March 13th, 2025
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm - Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Wallaceburg Site Emergency Department (325 Margaret Ave., Wallaceburg)
March 11th, 2025
7:30 pm – 11:30 pm - YMCA (101 Courthouse Lane, Chatham)
March 10th, 2025
8:55 am – 5:30 pm
Anyone who was present during one or more of these timeframes and is not up-to-date with their vaccinations is urged to call CK Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902.
If you are experiencing symptoms of measles and need to visit a healthcare provider, emergency department, or walk-in clinic, be sure to call ahead before attending.
