The Sudbury and District Health Unit is investigating the first confirmed case of measles in more than 15 years, in a child in Greater Sudbury.

Staff at the health unit fielded about 150 calls by 5 p.m. Sunday after advising Saturday afternoon that people who attended certain locations at specific times may have been exposed to the measles virus.

The virus can make those who suffer from it very ill and can even be fatal.

The health unit remained open for extended hours because of the one case of measles and questions from residents about exposure.

People may have been exposed who visited Costco at 1465 The Kingsway on April 23 between 4 and 7:30 p.m.; the Lasalle All Day Walk-in Clinic at 1813 Lasalle Blvd. on April 24 between 3 and 7 p.m.; and the emergency department at Ramsey Lake Health Centre between 8:30 p.m. April 24 and 4:30 a.m. April 25.

People who were at these locations outside of these dates and times could not have been exposed to measles because the virus can only live on surfaces outside the body for up to two hours.

Visitors to these locations during those time frames should check their immunization records to ensure their children under 18 have received two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).

This information can be found on yellow immunization cards, through your health care provider or the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

People visiting these locations on these dates and times are advised to contact the health unit at 705-522-9200 if you also:

Had a child under one year of age with you when you visited one of the above locations;

Are unimmunized or unsure of your immunization;

Have a weakened immune system;

Are pregnant;

Work in the health care or child care sector and don’t have two doses of measles vaccine;

Attend college or university and don’t have two doses of measles vaccine.

People who have had two doses of the measles vaccine, or who have had measles in the past are protected from measles.

Lisa Schell, manager of clinical and family services with the health unit, said most people born before 1970 are immune to the virus because they would have been infected with measles.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads very easily and can make those who contract it very ill.

Measles is very rare and the last confirmed case of measles in Sudbury was in 1997, said Schell.

Symptoms are cold-like and include cough, fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a red rash that may last for up to five days.

Those symptoms can be accompanied sometimes by small white spots inside the mouth.

Measles can cause severe symptoms, such as inflammation of the brain.

Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure so people should be vigilant until May 16 for people exposed April 26 to the virus.

Schell said Sunday afternoon that public health nurses administered about 30 measles shots over the weekend.

A mini-assessment is done on every person who phones the health unit .

People who think they may have measles should isolate themselves by staying home and avoiding all contact with unimmunized persons.

Schell said vaccination is the best protection against the childhood disease that used to be common until about four decades ago.

People are no longer infectious four full days after a measles rash first appears.

If you think you or your child have measles, you must call your health-care provider’s office or the hospital before you attend so precautions can be taken to prevent spreading measles to other patients.

If you are unsure of your vaccination status or that of your children, discuss this with your health care provider.

For more information about measles or immunization, visit www.sdhu.com or call the health unit at 705-522-9200.

The SDHU is maintaining extended after-hours services to respond to this incident.

carol.mulligan@sunmedia.ca