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The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says there has been a confirmed case of measles in Swift Current.
In a news release on March 14, the SHA listed a number of locations and said anyone who was at any of them during the listed time periods should monitor for measles symptoms.
The locations were Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current from Friday March 7 to Monday March 10 and the entrance, elevator and fourth floor of the E.I. Wood Building at 350 Cheadle Street West in Swift Current on Thursday March 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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The SHA said that the symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability (feeling cranky or in a bad mood), small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat, and a red blotchy rash which develops on the face and spreads down the body about three to seven days after symptoms begin and can last four to seven days.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) also issued a measles advisory on March 14 about a case of measles near Calgary.
AHS says anyone who visited Airdrie Superstore on 300 Veterans Boulevard NE in Airdrie on March 8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. may have been exposed.
As well, people who at the Sky Castle Family Entertainment Centre and cafeteria in the New Horizon Mall in Balzac on March 9 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. may have also been exposed.
Other locations and times for potential exposures include Airdrie Urgent Care on March 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and One Health Associate Medical Clinic on March 12 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100-per-cent effective, the SHA said. (Supplied)
What should you do if you think you have been exposed to measles?
The SHA said due to the highly contagious nature of the measles virus, anyone who has any of the listed symptoms and was at any of the listed locations during the identified times, should call HealthLine811, their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner.
Anyone in medical distress, should go to an emergency room or call 911, and identify they may have been exposed to measles.
The health authority also said that measles can be prevented by the safe, effective and free measles vaccine.
With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100-per-cent effective, the SHA said, noting that anyone can check immunizations online at MySaskHealthRecord or ask their doctor.
Why is measles dangerous?
Measles is highly contagious and can spread very easily by breathing contaminated air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface such as a doorknob or a shopping cart.
In rare cases can lead to respiratory failure, swelling of the brain and death.
Dr. Joseph Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital, said in 2024 he believes there is a lot of complacency when it comes to getting immunized and any resurgence of measles cases should not be ignored.
“There’s a legitimate concern, because about one in five patients that get measles may be hospitalized,” said Blondeau. “Somewhere between one to three patients out of every 1,000 patients that get measles could end up dying.”
If anyone breathes the contaminated air or touches a contaminated surface and then touches their nose, eyes or mouth, they can become infected.
The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where an infected person coughed or sneezed.
It can spread to others from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Through this period, people need to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection.
Canada’s top doctor said recently she was concerned about measles outbreaks.
Dr. Theresa Tam says the majority of recent infections reported in Canada were among people who were unvaccinated, including many children, and infants under one.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in October found a decline in measles vaccination coverage children ages two to seven before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
— with files from Canadian Press and CKOM News
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