Manitoba warns of measles exposure in Portage la Prairie restaurant
People who were at Tornado's Restaurant and Lounge on July 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. could have been exposed
Manitoba health officials are warning people might have been exposed to measles at a restaurant in Portage la Prairie last weekend.
Anyone who was at Tornado's Restaurant and Lounge, located at 1107 Saskatchewan Ave. W. in the southern Manitoba city, on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. is asked to monitor for measles symptoms until Aug. 11, the province said in a Friday notice.
The province is also asking those who were in the restaurant during that time on Sunday to check for their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with their measles vaccines.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure, and may include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness and red eyes, Manitoba Health says. Small white spots can also appear on the inside of the mouth or throat.
The highly infectious disease 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 on surfaces for two hours after an infected person leaves.
The province says immunization is the only way to protect people from contracting measles.
A two-dose vaccine program for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) is routinely provided for kids at least one year old and again at age four to six in Manitoba. If a child is exposed to measles, the province said a second dose can be given earlier.
As of July 19 — the most recent data available from Manitoba Health — there have been 158 confirmed measles cases in the province this year.
A list with detailed information on the locations, times and days where the public might have been exposed to measles is available on the province's website.