Manitoba Health warns of measles exposure at emergency room, Winkler medical centre
People might have been exposed to virus at facilities at limited times on July 25-26, province says
Public health officials are warning people might have been exposed to measles at two health-care centres in southern Manitoba last week.
The province said people might have been infected with the virus at the C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre urgent care facility at 385 Main St. in Winkler, a city about 100 kilometres south west of Winnipeg.
Anyone who was at the centre on July 25 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is being asked to monitor for symptoms until Aug. 17, according to the province's latest measles update released on Thursday afternoon.
Manitoba is also advising people who were at the Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency department, located close to Highway 3 near Winkler, could have also been exposed to measles.
Those who went to the emergency department on July 26 between 10:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. are asked to monitor for symptoms until Aug. 18, the province said.
Measles symptoms 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, the province said.
Public health is also asking anyone who was at those locations during the exposure time to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
Measles is highly infectious and spreads through droplets in the air, formed when coughing or sneezing.
An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears and 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.
Cases of the infectious disease continue to climb in Manitoba. As of July 26 there have been 165 confirmed cases and another 10 probable cases of measles so far this year, the province said.
Ten cases of measles have required hospitalization, and one person was admitted to the intensive care unit as of July 19, the province said.
Immunization is the only way to protect people from contracting measles, the province said.
A two-dose measles 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.
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.