Measles exposure risk in Carlyle, Arcola and Wawota

Measles cases have been confirmed in Carlyle, Arcola and Wawota, with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) notifying the public of measles exposure risks.

On Feb. 4, one case was confirmed in Wawota Town Hall (308 Railway Avenue), from 1 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.

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On Feb. 5, there were three confirmed cases, including one at Arcola Medical Clinic (707 Brock Avenue) from 1 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. On the same day, Carlyle Pharmasave (218 Main Street) reported one confirmed case between 1:20 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. and the RM of Moose Mountain Office (250 – 8th Street West) between 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Of the total 128 measles cases reported between 2025-26, there were 116 unvaccinated (seven cases were ineligible for vaccination due to age). Ten cases had people hospitalized; two were admitted to ICU, and no people died.

The largest age group who reported measles cases (five to 17 years of age) had 52 confirmed cases. The second highest rate of confirmed cases (age bracket between 18 to 54 years of age) recorded 35 cases, followed by the one to four age bracket, with 31 cases reported.

“If you were at any of the identified locations during the specified times below, please monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days after possible exposure,” said the SHA in a statement.

For the latest confirmed measles cases, visit this website.

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 is 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.

— with files from Canadian Press