People who visited exposure locations should check their immunization records
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care officials recently notified the public that exposure to measles may have occurred at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre – Laboratory Waiting Room on March 26 from 10:20 p.m. to March 27, at 1:45 a.m. and at the Easton Place Medical Clinic waiting room in Selkirk on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Immunization is the only means of protecting people from contracting measles. Public health asks anyone who was at these locations during these times to check to see if they are up to date with the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). To find out if you have been immunized, contact your local public health office, physician, nurse practitioner or pharmacist.
Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread by coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat. Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
If symptoms develop, individuals who may have been exposed are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure to measles. Anyone else in the household who is unimmunized should limit exposure to others until the symptomatic person has received advice from their health-care provider. It is best to call ahead so health-care staff can take steps to reduce the exposure of other people to the virus.
If you may have been exposed at the recent exposure locations, have never received a measles vaccine or infection, and were born in 1970 or later, officials recommend that you get a measles vaccine. From the fifth day after exposure to the twenty-first day after exposure, officials recommend reducing exposure to others, especially anyone who has a weakened immune system or is unimmunized. For possible March 26 exposure, monitor for symptoms until April 17. For possible March 27 exposure, monitor for symptoms until April 18. For possible March 28 exposure, monitor for symptoms until April 19.
Certain people should not get the measles vaccine, including infants less than six months of age, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. These individuals should contact their health-care provider or public health should they require more information
In Manitoba, a two-dose measles vaccine program for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) is routinely provided for children who are at least one year of age and again when aged four to six. In the case of a measles exposure, a second dose may be given earlier than four to six years of age. There is also an outbreak eligibility for some children aged six months to under 12 months.
The complete eligibility criteria can be viewed at: www.gov.mb.ca.
Close contacts may be asked by public health to isolate and consider vaccination.
For more information about possible measles exposures and further information on measles, visit gov.mb.ca. You can also contact Health Links-Info Santé toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
