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Public health officials are warning people may have been recently exposed to measles at an emergency department, a school and a restaurant in southern Manitoba.
Anyone who was at Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler, which is about 100 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, on Nov. 26 from 8:25 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. should monitor for symptoms of the virus until Dec. 18, the province said in a news release Monday. Those at the high school on Nov. 27 from 8:25 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Dec. 19.
People who were at the Outpost Grill at the junction of highways 3 and 14 in Winkler on Nov. 29 from 4 to 9 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Dec. 21.
People might also have been exposed to measles at the Boundary Trails Health Centre ER, between Morden and Winkler, last week.
Anyone who was at the emergency room during these times and dates should monitor for symptoms:
- Dec. 2 from 6:25 p.m. to 10:10 p.m., monitor symptoms until Dec. 24.
- Dec. 3 from 9:20 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., monitor symptoms until Dec. 25.
- Dec. 4 from 12 a.m. to 2:40 a.m., monitor symptoms until Dec. 26.
People who were at one or more of these locations during the specified times are urged to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through droplets formed in the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. Even a few minutes in the same space as a sick person poses infection risks, as the virus can linger in an airspace for two hours.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure, and may include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness and red eyes. Small white spots can also appear on the inside of the mouth or throat.
Several days after the initial symptoms, a blotchy red rash appears on the face and progresses down the body.
Measles can lead to complications, including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
There have been 270 confirmed and 22 probable cases reported in Manitoba this year as of Nov. 29, data from the province said last week.
Most people recover fully from measles within two or three weeks. Complications are more common in infants and adults and those with weakened immune systems.
In Manitoba, 16 measles patients this year have required hospitalization, including 13 children under age 10 so far this year.
