Dr. Shahab: 5-month-old patient among rising measles cases

Saskatchewan’s top doctor says he expects the measles cases that have already almost doubled in a week to go up unless people get immunized against the virus.

“Many parents who themselves had the privilege of getting vaccinated are choosing not to get their children vaccinated because of all the misinformation and disinformation floating around on social media, and that is really tragic,” said Dr. Saqib Shahab.

Shahab said 15 cases have been reported since last week, bringing the total to 27. Across Canada, health officials said almost 200 people were infected last week.

Two of 27 people so far have required hospitalization, Shahab said and only one of the 27 who caught the virus was vaccinated.

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“The power to stop it is up to each of us who make decisions for ourselves to get vaccinated and decisions for our children who are unable to make decisions for themselves,” he said.

About 75 per cent of measles cases are coming from children, Shahab said, the youngest being five months old.

While all 12 cases last week were directly linked to travel, Shahab said we are entering a phase where health care providers are preparing for unvaccinated people to continue spreading the virus.

“I think it’s terrible,” he said. “Like I said, we are living like it’s the 1950s.”

SHA issues measles exposure alert for Regina

The SHA is alerting people about a measles exposure risk in four locations in Regina over the past week.

• Regina Open Door Society on 11th Avenue had an exposure risk on May 1, from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and May 2, from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Walmart’s east location on Prince of Wales Drive saw an exposure risk on May 3, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
• BarBurrito on Gordon Road saw an exposure risk on May 5, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
• Alliance Health Medical Clinic on 4th Avenue had an exposure risk on May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“If you were at an identified location during the specified times below, please monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure,” the health authority said in an emailed statement.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has confirmed cases recently in Rosthern and Preeceville.

What are the symptoms of measles?

The SHA said that the symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability (feeling cranky or in a bad mood), small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat, and a 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 said anyone who has any of the listed symptoms and was at any of the listed locations during the identified times should call HealthLine811, their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner.

Anyone in medical distress should go to an emergency room or call 911 and identify they may have been exposed to measles.

The health authority also said that measles can be prevented by the safe, effective and free measles vaccine and with two doses, the vaccination is almost 100-per-cent effective

“Immunization is your best tool against measles, and two complete doses are what you need to have full vaccination. One dose is not enough,” the SHA’s Dr. David Torr said recently.

“Once immunized, the measles vaccine is extremely efficient, over 90 per cent of protection both against actually getting the infection and certainly against getting any complications or even death from measles.”

The second dose is especially important for people born in or after 1970.

Measles is spreading worldwide and the World Health Organization has expressed concerns.

“Get yourself up to date with the immunizations,” Torr said. “Otherwise, you’re not properly protected against measles — and it is here.”

To check your vaccination records, Torr said to check MySaskHealthRecord, and if you can’t find anything there to contact public health.

Why is measles dangerous?

Measles is highly contagious and can spread very easily by breathing contaminated air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface such as a doorknob or a shopping cart.

In rare cases can lead to respiratory failure, swelling of the brain and death.

If anyone breathes the contaminated air or touches a contaminated surface and then touches their nose, eyes or mouth, they can become infected.

The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where an infected person coughed or sneezed.

It can spread to others from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Through this period, people need to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection.

Canada’s top doctor said recently she was concerned about measles outbreaks.

Dr. Theresa Tam says the majority of recent infections reported in Canada were among unvaccinated people, including many children, and infants under one.

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in October found a decline in measles vaccination coverage among children ages two to seven before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

— with files from Canadian Press