The Middlesex-London Health Unit is introducing a new messaging notification system from RAVE Mobile Safety to notify community members of potential infectious disease exposures faster and more efficiently.

Starting today, in situations where the contact information of individuals potentially exposed to an infectious disease such as the measles virus is known, they will receive a telephone message from the health unit informing them of the date, time and location of the exposure and guiding them on appropriate next steps.

“Exposure notifications are time sensitive. For those most at risk – people who are unimmunized and those who are immunocompromised - we can offer post-exposure treatment to reduce the risk of serious infection, but they must receive treatment within six days. The use of this automated system allows us to reach dozens or even hundreds of contacts at the click of a button. It’s part of our strategy to deliver accurate and timely public health information directly to those who need it most,” say Omar Ozaldin, Director of Environmental Health, Infectious Disease and Clinical Services with the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

Calls will show as coming from the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Those receiving the calls are asked to listen to the complete message and make note of recommended next steps. Some recipients will be offered treatment, and others will be asked to monitor for signs and symptoms of the virus they were exposed to.

RAVE Mobile Safety is a mass notification system enabling governments, organizations, institutions and schools to quickly and reliably send messages by phone, email or text message. It is widely used by public health units in Ontario for a variety of purposes.