Public Health declares measles outbreak in western New Brunswick

There are now five cases of measles in Zone 3, which includes Perth-Andover, Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, Plaster Rock, Fredericton, Boiestown, Minto and Chipman. The number of cases prompted Public Health to declare an outbreak.

"The situation is evolving rapidly and we're trying to take action to to get ahead of the spread," said Dr. Mark McKelvie, a regional medical officer of health.

"As a result of this sustained transmission, you know, our concern level has gone up," he said in an interview with Shift on CBC Radio.

Measles can spread very quickly through a household, McKelvie said.

"It's one of the most infectious diseases we know of," with one case having the potential to generate eight or nine others.

Symptoms are usually non-specific to begin with, such as a fever, runny nose or cough, he said. 

"But the classic measle symptom is this rash — the rash that starts typically on the forehead and then descends down the body."

It's important for people to be aware of their symptoms and isolate, McKelvie said, "because measles can transmit before you become aware."

People born before 1970 likely have had previous exposure and don't need vaccines, but those born after that year should have two doses. People can ask their regular care provider or local public health unit for their vaccine status if they're unsure.

Two vaccine clinics were held Friday but there's still one scheduled for Saturday at the Western Valley Multiplex in Centreville, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. People are encouraged to book an appointment online or by calling Tele-Services at 1-833-437-1424.

The clinics are free for eligible New Brunswickers.

More clinics are scheduled for the coming week. The Centreville location will also hold clinics on Monday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Stanley location will also hold one next Friday, Nov. 8, from, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Two doses of the vaccine are estimated to be about 97 per cent effective against the disease, McKelvie said.

He said people should take action as there's risk for measles to spread.

"So if I am not up to date with my vaccine or I am and I don't have previous exposure, the risk of me getting exposed could grow."

There's been a global surge in measles cases in the past year he said, which is driven by regions with little to no vaccine coverage in the population.

"And so eventually things kind of work their way through and the measles finds its way through the crack," McKelvie said.

"And our job here is to kind of close those cracks through vaccinations."