The Halton Region Health Department has confirmed one case of measles involving an adult Burlington resident, which may have been spread to others who visited certain public establishments between Dec. 13 and 17.

The health department is warning the public that they may also be at risk of contracting the disease if they visited Homewood Suites by Hilton Burlington (975 Syscon Rd., Burlington) from Dec. 13 to 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., or on Dec. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Longos (3455 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville) on Dec. 13 from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m., Dec. 14 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. or Dec. 15 from 3 to 6 p.m.; Cogeco (950 Syscon Rd., Burlington) on Dec. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Outlet Collection at Niagara (300 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake) on Dec. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Gap, Calvin Klein and Guess stores; or Amsterdam BrewHouse (245 Queens Quay W., Toronto) on Dec. 16 from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

Those who visited any of the above locations during the specified times are asked to ensure their immunization records are up to date.

According to the Health Department, those 18 years of age and older who were born in or after 1970 require one dose of the measles vaccine. Children 12 months to under 18 years of age, health-care workers and adults attending post-secondary institutions are required to have two doses, and those born before 1970 are generally considered immune.

Measles is highly contagious and can be passed on easily through the air. People can contract the measles up to 21 days after being exposed to the disease. Infants, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems are most at risk, and Halton Region recommends they seek immediate attention from a health-care professional.

Symptoms include a high fever, cold-like symptoms, sore eyes or sensitivity to light, small spots with a white centre on the inside of the mouth and a red rash that lasts between four and seven days.

“With a case of confirmed measles in our community, it’s imperative that residents protect themselves and their community against the increasing risk of infection, by ensuring their measles immunization is up to date,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, medical officer of health for Halton Region.

For further information about measles, visit http://beta.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/Prevent-Communicable-Diseases-A-Z-Index#09, or call the Halton Region Health Department at 905-825-6000. If your immunization record is not up to date, contact your local public health unit.