Saskatchewan Health Authority warning of potential measles outbreak

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch tells CTV News that full immunization is the best way to prevent the spread of measles.

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

• River Valley Eye Care: Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Gold Eagle Casino: Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 12:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart in Frontier Mall: Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tim Hortons by Frontier Mall: Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Splish Splash Auto and Pet Wash: Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Battlefords Union Hospital – Emergency Department:

Saskatoon

• Smiley’s Buffet and Catering (702 Circle Dr, Saskatoon): Friday, March 21, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Queen Nails & Spa Confederation Mall (300 Confederation Dr #46, Saskatoon): Friday, March 21, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Play Toon Indoor Playground (331 60th Street, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop (831 51st Street Unit 70, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tim Hortons (709 Circle Dr E, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Value Village (2115 Faithful Ave, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• HomeSense (3047 Clarence Ave S, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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:

• fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes,
• fatigue, irritability
• small white spots inside the mouth and throat
• red, blotchy rash that develops on the face and spreads down the body after symptoms begin and lasts four to seven days.

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.