Measles case reported in Quebec City

A woman with a red, spotty rash on her upper back and shoulders caused by measles.

Health authorities are warning the public of a new confirmed case of measles in the Quebec City region.

The individual is believed to have contracted measles while travelling abroad. They then visited two public locations in Quebec City between March 24 and 26.

The Public Health Department of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale was notified on April 7. It states that it is “hard at work” to limit transmission in the region.

People who visited the following locations may have been exposed to the disease:

• Medic Axion Clinic, located at 1020 Bouvier Street, Suite 200, on March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• CHUL Emergency Room waiting room, located at 2705 Laurier Boulevard, on March 24 from 8:19 p.m. to 10:21 p.m.
• CHUL Emergency Room (Block D) at 2705 Laurier Boulevard, on March 24 from 9:21 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• CHUL Emergency Department (Block D) at 2705 Laurier Boulevard, on March 25 from midnight to 11:59 p.m.
• CHUL Emergency Department (Block D) at 2705 Laurier Boulevard, on March 26 from midnight to 12:12 a.m.
• Building 1020 at 1020 Bouvier Street (in the building’s hallways), March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Those affected should monitor their symptoms and self-isolate if they are not protected against the disease.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and a widespread rash.

According to the Quebec government’s website, a total of four cases have been reported in the province, including in the Laurentians, Montreal, and Quebec City.

In late March, Montreal’s public health department warned the public about a new confirmed case of measles following the visit of an infectious tourist. People who had been at Montreal Airport and CHU Sainte-Justine at specific times were advised to monitor their symptoms until mid-April.

According to health authorities, if a person received one dose of the measles vaccine before the age of 12 months, two additional doses are required to ensure protection. After the age of 12 months, a child’s immune system is sufficiently developed to provide lasting protection.

About one in 3,000 children who contract measles die from the disease.

The complete list of locations and dates of potential measles exposure is available online.

- With files from Noovo Info