June 16, 2025

Grey Bruce Public Health advising of measles exposure location in Grey-Bruce

Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) is advising the public of a potential measles exposure location in the area.

As part of a case management and contact-tracing investigation, a neighbouring health unit has notified GBPH that individuals may have been exposed to the measles virus at the following location, date, and times:

• Ashanti Coffee, 39 Bruce St. S., Thornbury (Town of the Blue Mountains)
• June 7, 2025, between approximately 4:30 and 5:30 pm

• Please note: the exposure window is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., as the measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves the area.

Anyone who was present at this location during the exposure window should do the following:

• Confirm vaccination status. Ensure all individuals in your household are up to date on their measles vaccinations. In general, those born before 1970 are considered immune against measles. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV) are recommended for anyone born after 1970. If unsure of vaccination status, individuals should check with their healthcare provider or ICON.
• If not protected against measles, individuals should contact their healthcare provider or GBPH to receive post-exposure treatment, if it’s been six days or less since exposure, or to receive a measles-containing vaccine for lifelong protection.
• Monitor for measles symptoms, which generally start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms can include high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes, and sensitivity to light. About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash typically appears. The rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face then spread down the body, arms and legs.
• If an individual develops measles symptoms, they should immediately isolate at home and call a healthcare provider. Household members who are not immune to measles should also stay home during this period and consult with public health. If medical care is required, call ahead to a healthcare facility before arriving in-person, so the facility can take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

Public Health Units conduct case management and contact tracing upon notification of probable or confirmed measles cases within their jurisdiction. If the Public Health Unit cannot reach everyone who was exposed to measles during a contact-tracing investigation, it will notify the public of potential community exposure location(s).

Vaccination is the best defence against measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus. One dose of a measles-containing vaccine is about 85% to 95% effective at preventing measles. With two doses, efficacy rises to nearly 100%.

GBPH has created a dedicated measles webpage, available at the following link: Measles – Grey-Bruce. This webpage includes information on measles-containing vaccines, including when individuals should be vaccinated, along with a list of local measles exposure locations, and additional information on the measles virus, including symptoms and the virus’s infectious period.

 

---

At South Grey News, we endeavour to bring you truthful and factual, up-to-date local community news in a quick and easy-to-digest format that’s free of political bias. We believe this service is more important today than ever before, as social media has given rise to misinformation, largely unchecked by big corporations who put profits ahead of their responsibilities.

South Grey News does not have the resources of a big corporation. We are a small, locally owned-and-operated organization. Research, analysis and physical attendance at public meetings and community events requires considerable effort. But contributions from readers and advertisers, however big or small, go a long way to helping us deliver positive, open and honest journalism for this community.

Please consider supporting South Grey News with a donation in lieu of a subscription fee and let us know that our efforts are appreciated. Thank you.