Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) is warning community members about potential exposure to measles at four locations across the region, urging anyone who may have been present to review their vaccination status and watch for symptoms.
The exposures occurred between February 19 and February 26, 2025, at the following sites:
- Blue Elephant in Simcoe on February 19, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Dover Dental in Port Dover on February 21, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Flux Brewery in Scotland on February 21, between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- Norfolk General Hospital Emergency Department in Simcoe on February 26, between 6:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Public health officials are in the process of notifying individuals who were identified as direct contacts at these locations, but are asking all residents who may have been present to take precautions. The advisory is particularly important for anyone born in 1970 or later who may not be fully vaccinated against measles.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically develop within one to three weeks of exposure and can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive red rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body.
GEPH is encouraging individuals who were at any of the exposure sites to contact their healthcare provider or call public health directly at 519-753-4937 ext. 454 or 905-318-6623 ext. 3438. Individuals can also report their possible exposure online by filling out the measles exposure form at www.geph.ca/measlesform.
This measles advisory comes just weeks after the creation of Grand Erie Public Health, formed in January 2025 through the merger of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit. The newly unified public health agency serves Brant County, Brantford, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County.
Public health officials say early reporting and vaccination are key to containing the spread of measles. Further details, including symptom checklists, vaccination guidelines, and exposure location updates, are available at www.bchu.org/measles and www.hnhu.org/measles.
