A measles case has been identified in Saskatoon, prompting the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to issue an advisory. The SHA is currently working on notifying individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. The case is believed to have been acquired during international travel. In order to prevent further spread, the health authority has listed five locations where potential exposure may have occurred.
Individuals who visited Reitman’s, Dollarama, or Walmart on Clarence Avenue in Stonebridge on Sunday, January 7, between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. are advised to be cautious. Furthermore, anyone who was at the Arts Building Cafe on Campus Drive on Thursday, January 9, between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., or the adult emergency waiting room at Royal University Hospital on Tuesday, January 16, between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., should also remain vigilant.
The symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability, small white spots inside the mouth and throat, as well as a red, blotchy rash which typically starts on the face and spreads downwards. If individuals experience any of these symptoms and were present at the aforementioned locations during the specified times, they are advised to don a mask and contact Healthline 811 to receive further instructions. In case of medical distress, individuals should visit the emergency room or call 911, mentioning potential exposure to measles.
It is important to note that measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contaminated air or surfaces. The virus can survive for up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in the vicinity of an infected individual’s cough or sneeze. To prevent further infections, individuals who have been exposed should remain in strict isolation from four days before the appearance of the rash until four days after its appearance.
The SHA has also specified that individuals born in 1964 or later and who may have been exposed at the hospital are eligible for preemptive treatment, provided they haven’t received two doses of the measles vaccine. To facilitate this, a drop-in clinic has been arranged for Saturday and Sunday, with further details available on the health authority’s website.
The SHA emphasizes the importance of measles vaccination, as it can effectively prevent the disease. The measles vaccine is safe, free, and almost 100 percent effective with two doses. In light of this recent case, it is crucial for individuals to ensure their vaccination status and seek medical advice if they have any concerns.
By promptly addressing this measles case, the Saskatchewan Health Authority aims to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health and well-being of the community. Vigilance, adherence to hygiene practices, and vaccination are essential to prevent the further spread of measles in Saskatoon and the surrounding areas.
