Two cases of measles have been reported in Manitoba, the provincial public health officer said Oct. 22, and both the affected individuals live in the Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority area.
One of the confirmed cases is in a child under the age of one, who is believed to have contracted the virus out of the country, while the other is someone in close contact with the child.
Public health officials have notified or will soon notify anyone who was in contact with either person. Some may be offered immunization and asked to limit contact with others to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes and usually show up one to three weeks after exposure to the virus. Small white spots may also develop inside the mouth or throat. After the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and moves down the body. Measles can lead to complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis.
The measles virus is spread by droplets in the air formed when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People with the virus are infectious from four days before a rash appears to four days afterwards. Measles is more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening. People who suspect they may have measles should notify doctors or health-care providers before attending medical facilities so that they can take steps to reduce other people from being exposed to the virus. Ensuring immunizations are up to date, washing hands, not sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick can help reduce the spread of measles.
A two-dose vaccine for measles was introduced in Manitoba in 1996 and is usually provided when children are at least one year old and again at age four or six.
