YORKTON — The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is notifying the public of a measles exposure risk in Yorkton due to confirmed measles cases.
If anyone was at an identified location on Aug. 5 from noon to 6 p.m., please monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure. According to the SHA, the locations are:
- Value Village (277 Broadway Street East Suite 33A);
- North 40 (Condessa Plaza, 23B Smith Street West);
- Parkland Surplus (Highway 10 East);
- Dollarama (275 Broadway Street East); and
- Walmart (240 Hamilton Road).
If exposed and are unvaccinated, are unsure of vaccination status for measles or develop symptoms of the disease, call HealthLine 811. SHA says measles symptoms include fever; cough; runny nose; red eyes; fatigue; irritability, such as feeling cranky or being in a bad mood; small, white spots, known as Koplik spots, inside the mouth and throat; and 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.
The SHA says anyone potentially exposed might be eligible for preventative treatment for up to six days after exposure if they are unvaccinated, pregnant, under one year of age or immune suppressed. Do not attend a clinic in person if you are symptomatic; call HealthLine 811 for information and instructions.
If you are in medical distress, do not delay seeking care. However, please call before entering the emergency department, or if calling 911, inform the health-care team that you may have been exposed to measles so proper precautions can be put in place to minimize spread.
"Measles is a highly contagious," the SHA said in a news release. "It can spread very easily to others through the air. The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person coughed or sneezed. It can spread from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Through this period, a person needs to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection to others.
"Measles is prevented by vaccination. The measles vaccine is safe, effective and free. With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100 per cent effective. Please review your immunizations in your MySaskHealthRecord, if you were immunized in Saskatchewan, or discuss with your health practitioner to ensure that you and your family’s immunizations are up to date."
Click here tor more information on current measles exposure alerts around the province, immunization and symptoms.
