There have recently been confirmed cases of measles in Saskatchewan. In the process of investigating a measles case, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has informed Sunrise Health Region that customers and employees who were at Home Hardware Building Centre, 145 Broadway Street East, Yorkton on Monday, January 20th between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. may have been exposed to the measles virus and may become ill.
Individuals who have visited this business at times other than those listed above are not at risk. Please see below for symptoms - note that individuals who have were at the Home Hardware on January 20th between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. who have not yet shown symptoms of measles at this time (23 days after potential exposure) are not likely to have contracted the virus.
Persons are at greater risk of illness if they have not received measles vaccine or have not had a previous measles infection. Measles vaccine is commonly provided in childhood. Persons born in Canada before 1970 or who have received two doses of measles vaccine, or have had the infection in the past, are considered immune. Measles is caused by a virus that can spread easily from one person to another 1 or 2 days before the fever starts, and until 4 days after the rash appears. Persons generally feel quite ill and usually present with the following symptoms:
Fever
Cough
A red blotchy rash
Spots in the mouth
Runny nose
Redness of the eyes and inner eyelids and/or light sensitivity.
Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 days after exposure but this time frame can range from 7 to 21 days. If you develop the symptoms listed above you will need to see a doctor:
Call ahead to talk to the office and tell them you may have been exposed to measles and are now having symptoms. Take a copy of this Public Service Announ-ce-ment with you.
At the doctor's office you should not be seated in the waiting room as you may be exposing others.
If the doctor feels you may have measles, you should have blood and urine testing and a nasopharyngeal or throat swab.
If your doctor has questions, he/she can contact Dr. Nsungu, Medical Health Officer.
Measles infection is usually uncommon in Canada. However, in recent years there have been cases in other parts of Canada, as well as a few cases in Saskatchewan. It is advised that those who travel out of Saskatchewan to check the Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Health website (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/noticesavis/ index-eng.php) for more information about outbreaks and how to protect themselves. The site provides various health updates including the locations of any active measles outbreaks in Canada and elsewhere in the world.
Please do not hesitate to contact the following numbers for further information:
For general information on measles: contact the Saskatchewan Health Line at 811.
To review immunization history or report signs and symptoms of possible measles infection: contact the Sunrise Health Region Intake Public Health Nurse at 306-786-0600.
