Measles: Growth in cases and potential public exposure

Posted on Tuesday April 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Public Health is reporting a total of 14 confirmed cases of measles in Waterloo Region and an additional public exposure.  

Public Health is working to identify people who may have been exposed. Based on the information available, the public may have been exposed on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the following place and time:    

Grand River Hospital – Emergency Department, 835 King Street West, Kitchener from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (now known as WRHN @ Midtown as of April 1, 2025)

“We continue to see cases primarily in unimmunized individuals,” said Dr. Rabia Bana, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo Public Health. “Given the highly contagious nature of measles, we expect this number to continue to rise.” 

To provide timely access to the latest information, Region of Waterloo Public Health will continue to update potential public exposures on the website and the Public Health social media channels, as needed. Public Health Ontario also maintains a listing of potential public exposures across Ontario and a weekly update of case numbers across Ontario which is updated every Thursday. 

Anyone who may have been exposed at the locations indicated should follow the steps below. 

  • Contact your local public health unit immediately if you fall into one of the following categories:   
    • Immunocompromised people.   
    • Pregnant people.   
    • Anyone (child or adult) born in or after 1970 who is unvaccinated or has only received one dose of measles vaccine.  

Public Health will help determine your eligibility for post-exposure measures. Waterloo Region residents should call 519-575-4400.   

  • Check your vaccination record.  The measles vaccine is typically noted as “MMR”, “MMRV” or “M” on records. People who have been exposed to measles should confirm if they meet the following requirements for immunity:   
    • People born before 1970 likely had measles in the past and are generally considered immune.   
    • People born in or after 1970 are considered fully protected from a known exposure to measles if they have had two doses of measles vaccine.   
    • Most children receive two doses of measles vaccine by age seven based on the current routine vaccine schedule in Ontario.   
    • Some people born in or after 1970 may have only received one dose of measles vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule.   

Check with your health care provider if you are unsure about your vaccination status.   

  • Watch for symptoms of measles. These can appear up to 21 days after exposure but usually occur within 7-12 days. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth, and red watery eyes that may be sensitive to light. A few days after symptoms begin, a red rash usually develops that starts on the face and spreads down the body.    
  • If you think you have measles symptoms, call your health care provider before you go for in-person care. This allows health care staff to take the necessary precautions to protect others visiting the office, clinic or hospital.   

For additional information about measles, including signs and symptoms, how it spreads and how it can be prevented, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/measles.   

Follow Region of Waterloo Public Health for ongoing updates about potential exposures:    

  • Instagram: @ROWPublicHealth   

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