Public Health urging people in Sussex to test for measles, get vaccinated after confirmed case
Those who may have been exposed are being asked to self-isolate for 21 days, monitor for symptoms
Public Health is asking New Brunswickers in Sussex or people who recently visited the region to monitor for measles symptoms and get vaccinated, following a confirmed case of the illness.
The case, announced Thursday, is believed to be related to another infected person from outside of the province who was travelling through the region between June 22 and 23.
This is the first confirmed New Brunswick case of measles in 2025, and regional medical officer of health Dr. Kimberley Barker says health officials need to take action immediately.
"We suspect there's been a couple of other cases," Barker told CBC radio's Information Morning.
"Oftentimes people don't report to health-care systems to be tested."
Those who could have been exposed to either individual involved in this case are being asked to self-monitor measles symptoms for 21 days. Those symptoms can include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose or tiny white spots on the mouth.
"A couple of days later, a classic rash that starts on the face, behind the ears and gradually moves its way down the body begins," said Barker.
She said it's important to note that measles does not present as a rash on the palms of your hands or on the soles of your feet. These symptoms can help distinguish measles from other rash-causing diseases.
It is allergy season, said Barker, so if taking antihistamines relieves symptoms for an individual, they are less likely to have measles.
Public Health is asking people who develop symptoms to self-isolate in their household and call Telecare 811 to describe their symptoms and receive guidance. It's also urging people with symptoms to not seek in-person care at a health clinic or emergency department.
"In the Sussex area specifically, it's been almost three weeks since the first case travelled through New Brunswick," said Barker. "It's really hard to say who might have been exposed during their time, it's hard to say how many people were out and about thinking they just had allergies with a runny nose."
Barker said even though there's only one confirmed case, Public Health has declared this a measles outbreak, because it's challenging to confirm additional cases.
Barker said nurses have been streamlining the testing process by dropping off and picking up urine sample cups to homes in the Sussex area.
"That's the community we're most focused on," said Barker.
Free vaccinations available
Public Health is offering people over the age of 12 months free measles vaccines. A vaccine clinic will be held on Saturday at the Public Health office in Sussex at 30 Moffett Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
People can book an appointment through the provincial scheduler or by calling Tele-Services at 1-833-437-1424.
This vaccine was only offered in New Brunswick as of the 1970s, so Public Health says it's likely anyone born prior to 1970 was exposed to measles and may not require vaccination today.
"For people born after 1970 there was one dose offered, then in the early '90s we realized the importance of a second dose," said Barker.
She said New Brunswickers can check their vaccination status by contacting their family physician or through the province's online health database MyHealthNB.
Barker says measles is not a disease to be taken lightly as it's highly infectious and can cause death, particularly in children under the age of five and people who are immunocompromised.
"Out of 100 people with measles, we would probably see 15 people hospitalized," said Barker, "That's often a severe illness, including brain inflammation, pneumonia, ear infections that can lead to ongoing issues with your hearing, so very significant outcomes."
Barker said it's expected to see about three deaths for every 1,000 cases of measles.
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With files from Information Morning