An Ajax measles exposure notice is asking people who were in the emergency department waiting room at Lakeridge Health Ajax-Pickering on November 3 to watch for symptoms until November 24.
Durham Region Health Department issued the notice on November 6 after confirming measles in a local child who was not immunized and had recently travelled internationally. Public health staff are investigating and contacting known people who may have been exposed.
Where and when the exposure may have occurred
The identified location is the emergency department waiting room at 580 Harwood Avenue South in Ajax. The potential exposure window was Tuesday, November 3, from 10:40 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The monitoring date of November 24 is 21 days after that exposure. The notice concerns people present during the specified period; it does not say everyone who visited the hospital that day was infected.
The Region’s current measles information page says the new confirmation brings Durham’s total to five confirmed cases in 2026. This November notice concerns a different exposure from the Oshawa locations announced earlier in the year.
Public health’s advice for people potentially exposed
The Health Department asks people to check that they and their family members have two doses of measles-containing vaccine, such as MMR or MMRV. Anyone uncertain about their vaccination history should consult their health care provider.
Its notice says people born before 1970 likely had measles as children and are protected. Residents should use the department’s current guidance or speak with a health professional when their own immunity is uncertain.
If symptoms develop, public health advises staying home and not attending work or school. Call ahead before visiting a clinic or health care provider and explain that measles may be involved so staff can prepare to limit transmission. Wear a well-fitting mask when receiving a medical assessment.
People without a health care provider can contact the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.
Symptoms to watch for
According to the Health Department, symptoms generally begin seven to 21 days after infection. They can include fever of at least 38.3 C, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light and a red rash lasting four to seven days.
The department describes measles as highly contagious and says the virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Infants younger than one, unimmunized pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications.
For the Ajax measles exposure notice, the exact waiting-room location, time window and monitoring deadline are the key details to compare with a November 3 visit.
Sources
Durham Region Health Department: November 6 exposure notice
Region of Durham: current measles information and exposure guidance
Featured image: original conceptual editorial illustration, not a photograph of the hospital or a patient.
