Toronto Public Health is alerting individuals who visited Ripley’s Aquarium recently that they may have been exposed to measles.
On Friday, the public health agency announced in a press release that an individual who had been at the aquarium on Monday, April 21st from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM contracted measles.
People who were present that day should watch out for symptoms up until Monday, May 12, according to the public health agency.
The symptoms may encompass fever, nasal discharge, coughing, reddened eyes, a red rash starting from the face and moving downward across the body, along with tiny bluish-white spots that might develop inside the mouth and throat.
Toronto Public Health stated in the release, “The measles virus is extremely infectious and can spread through the air when an infected individual exhales, coughs, sneezes, or speaks.”
The virus may remain airborne or on surfaces for as long as 120 minutes. Individuals can contract the infection if they inhale the tainted air or come into contact with an infected surface, followed by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
This week, Ontario saw its largest weekly rise in measles cases since the start of the outbreak, with 223 new infections documented across the province.
Toronto Public Health has reported three instances of measles within the city limits for this year up until now.
Health authorities are advising individuals to make sure they are immunized against measles, as this disease poses risks for severe side effects.
