South East Health Unit Media Release | Measles Cases

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South East Health Unit confirms measles outbreak in Hastings County; advises of community exposure

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/March 5, 2025

South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) has confirmed nine measles cases and is continuing to investigate contacts in Hastings County.

SEHU is also advising the community of a measles exposure at:

Central Hastings Family Health Team, 52 St. Lawrence St. E, Madoc on Feb. 27, 2025 between 11:11 a.m. and 1:11 p.m.

SEHU has been working with the Family Health Team to identify and contact susceptible contacts. The measles virus is highly contagious and spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Symptoms of measles begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, and red eyes. Small white spots appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present. Three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and then progresses down the body.

SEHU advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed (even those who were only present briefly) to do the following:

Confirm you and your family members have two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV); those born before 1970 would likely have had measles as a child and are protected. Immunizations are one of the safest ways to protect you, your children and your community from serious and potentially deadly vaccine-preventable diseases.
If you develop symptoms:

Stay home and do not attend work or school.
Call your health-care provider. If you need to go to a clinic or other health-care setting for care, it is important to contact them ahead of time to avoid inadvertently exposing others.
You may also call our Infectious & Communicable Diseases Program at 613-966- 5500, ext. 349, toll free at 1-800-267-2803, TTY 711 (1-800-267-6511).

SEHU is urging all Hastings and Prince Edward Counties residents to ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines and to remain watchful for symptoms, especially if not fully vaccinated.

Review immunization records at:

If your record is not up to date, speak to your health-care provider about getting your vaccines. Please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier.

Up-to-date vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and prevent the spread of measles in our community.

Get vaccinated

The MMR vaccine is publicly funded and available at your health-care provider’s office or through SEHU’s immunization clinics. Call your health-care provider to book an immunization appointment, or book one at SEHU:

For more information about measles, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/measles-faqs