In a concerning development, Lambton Public Health (LPH) has confirmed the occurrence of a second measles case within the region. This outbreak is raising alarms as health officials scramble to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

LPH has proactively released a list of potential exposure sites where individuals might have come into contact with the virus. If you visited any of these locations during the specified times, you are urged to monitor your health closely:

Potential Exposure Sites

- Confederation Central School (2500 Confederation Line): 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 17-21.

- Sarnia Upward Basketball Practice (707 Talfourd Street): 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 17.

- Bluewater Health Sarnia Emergency Department (89 Norman Street): 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on March 19.

- ARI Pediatric Dentistry (1323 Exmouth Street): 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 21.

- Sarnia Upward Basketball Game (707 Talfourd Street): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 22.

- Sarnia Upward Basketball Celebration (707 Talfourd Street): 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 22.

The measles virus can easily spread in crowded environments, making such gatherings particularly concerning. Health experts recommend vaccination as the most effective means of prevention. If you suspect you might have been exposed, it’s critical to keep an eye out for symptoms that typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure.

Symptoms to Watch For

Stay alert for the following symptoms: - Mild to moderate fever - Coughing - Runny nose - Red eyes - Small blue-white spots inside the mouth

After the initial symptoms, a red, blotchy rash usually appears 3-7 days later, often starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body, including the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

In light of this outbreak, public health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination not just for children, but for entire families to create community immunity and protect those who are unable to be vaccinated. The recent rise in measles cases raises serious public health concerns, urging communities to act swiftly.

Stay safe, stay informed, and ensure you are protected against this contagious virus! For more information and updates on this situation, follow local health advisories.