SHA issues advisory after measles case identified in Saskatoon

A measles case has been identified in Saskatoon, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority is working to notify those who may have been exposed.

According to the health authority, the case was acquired during international travel. The authority shared five locations, saying anyone who was there within a certain time frame should keep an eye out for any measles symptoms.

Those include the Reitman’s, Dollarama or Walmart on Clarence Avenue in Stonebridge on Sunday, Jan. 7 between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as the Arts Building Cafe on Campus Drive on Thursday Jan. 9 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and the adult emergency waiting room at Royal University Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 16 between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Measles symptoms, the authority added, include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability, small white spots inside the mouth and throat, and a red, blotchy rash which develops on the face and spreads down the body.

“If you exhibit any of the above symptoms AND were at the above locations during the identified times, please don a mask and call Healthline 811 for directions,” the health authority advised.

“If you are in medical distress, present to emergency or call 911, AND identify that you may have been exposed to measles.”

The health authority noted that measles is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated air or on surfaces.

“The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person coughed or sneezed,” the health authority advised.

“It can spread to others 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.”

Those who were potentially exposed at the hospital and were born in 1964 or later may be eligible for preemptive treatment, the authority said, as long as they haven’t had two doses of the measles vaccine. A drop-in clinic has been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and details are available at the health authority’s website.

“Measles can be prevented by vaccination,” the health authority noted. “The measles vaccine is safe, effective and free. With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100 per cent effective.”