The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is warning residents in North Battleford and Saskatoon about a potential exposure to measles. In a teleconference with media Thursday afternoon, health officials said there were three confirmed cases of measles in the province — two in the southwest, and one in the north. “The thing is that measles is a very contagious disease,” said Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, SHA medical health officer. Nsungu says the disease can spread though droplets from coughing or sneezing. More critically, the virus can be transmitted through the air, resting on smaller airborne particles for up to two hours after an infected patient has left a room. Health officials are still working to determine who may have been exposed during the patient’s infectious period, which is about four days before and four days after the measles rash appears. The SHA says anyone who attended the following locations in North Battleford and Saskatoon between March 20 and 24 may have been exposed to the virus: North Battleford Saskatoon If you’re exhibiting symptoms of the highly contagious virus and attended any of the above locations during the listed times, the SHA says to call before heading to an emergency department to let a physician or nurse know you may have been exposed to measles. “That’s very important … that [way the] facility can take precautions so that when you arrive, they can isolate you from other people, so that you don’t expose other people,” Nsungu said. “Because it is very easy to expose dozens of people just in a few minutes, and that is something that we should be avoiding.” Symptoms of measles include: Nsungu told reporters one of the confirmed cases involves a patient who has not received any measles vaccine, and who acquired the virus outside of Saskatchewan. The SHA says measles can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine is free and nearly 100 per cent effective.
