Seven people are believed to have recently contracted measles in Chatham-Kent.
That's according to Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, CK's Chief Medical Officer of Health, who provided an update on Monday on the spread of the disease.
He wouldn't clarify any of the people's vaccine status since it could identify or stigmatize them, though he explained the vast majority of all cases happen to people who aren't vaccinated.
"If measles makes its way into a family home, everyone who is unvaccinated is likely to get measles, but if you are vaccinated, your chances are very small," he said.
Nesathurai explained that people who have received one dose of the measles vaccine have a 93 per cent chance of not getting the disease if they come in contact with someone who does. This protection rises to 97 per cent for those with two doses.
Any additional doses or booster shots aren't needed.
"If you've had two vaccines, you're likely well protected," Nesathurai stated.
CK Public Health has a growing list of exposure sites across the municipality. The latest locations were added on Sunday. Nesathurai noted this is mainly to help people who aren't vaccinated since they're the ones in most danger of contracting measles.
"Most people with measles recover, but some get hospitalized, some people get pneumonia, some people develop brain swelling, and a small number of people will die," added Nesathurai.
They're encouraging those who aren't vaccinated to contact them at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902 if they were at any of the exposure sites during the specified timeframes.
CK Public Health's recommendation moving forward is for everyone who isn't vaccinated to do so to help protect themselves and stop the spread of the disease.
