SIOUX LOOKOUT – The Northwest Health Unit is reporting a probable case of an infant with measles who has recently travelled to the Sioux Lookout area.
Sandra Krikke, manager of infectious diseases, said doctors have not yet confirmed the infant has been infected with measles, but she admits it is likely the case.
Krikke stated that NWHU has reached out to those who have been in contact with the child, but there is a possibility there may be a large pool of people who can’t be identified.
“We have listed places where the child visited and some places we were able to directly connect with people to let them know that they were exposed. But for places like the grocery store or the bigger stores, we generally put out media releases because there's no way of us connecting with those clients,” said Krikke
The following locations are noted as possible places where the public may have been exposed to measles:
- Early On Centre at the Sioux Mountain School on May 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Fresh Market on May 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Giant Tiger on May 28 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Remedy’s Pharmacy on May 28 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Emergency Department on May 29 between 5 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. on May 30.
Because measles is an airborne virus, anyone who was present at the locations listed during the specified times is considered to have been exposed to measles, according to the NWHU.
NWHU is advising those who may have been exposed to measles to check their vaccination records to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
“If a person was exposed at one of these places, we're asking people to connect with the health unit. They can check their immunization records to see if they've had two doses of measles-containing vaccine. That would mean that they're not susceptible to the measles virus. But if they don't have two doses of measles-containing vaccine, then we would like them to connect with us and we can provide further assessment and direction,” Krikke explained.
Those born before 1970 are considered immune as measles was widely circulating at that time. However, for those unsure if they had a previous measles infection, Krikke encourages those people to get one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for protection.
If you have only had one dose or are unsure of your vaccination status, call your health-care provider, call or email your local NWHU at [email protected], or check your record through ICON.
Children aged six months to four years who have been exposed in the locations above are eligible to get a dose of MMR vaccine early.
During this time, those who may have been exposed should monitor their symptoms until June 19.
The measles virus can take up to 21 days to start showing symptoms. Symptoms can include a high fever, cold-like symptoms, cough, runny nose, small spots with white centres inside the mouth, sore eyes, sensitivity to light, and a red blotchy rash lasting four to seven days.
If symptoms develop, isolate at home and do not attend work or school. Infants under 12 months, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are considered high-risk individuals and should be avoided.
Krikke said NWHU is holding MMR immunization clinics at the Sioux Mountain School today (May 31) until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at the health unit from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
