Province warns of measles exposures at Gretna school, Winkler church
Some of the recent cases had no known contact to another case, province says
Manitoba is warning the public about more sites in the southern part of the province where people may have been exposed last week to measles, including a church and an elementary school.
The latest exposure sites are the Winkler Mennonite Church at 31 Willowdale Cres., Gretna Elementary School at 622 Ninth St.and Bus 38 servicing that school, the province said in a Thursday news release.
The possible measles exposure at the church happened on May 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m..
The possible school exposure happened on May 5, 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the possible bus exposure was on the same days, from 7:50 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms of the highly infectious disease until May 30. Some of the recent cases didn't have any known contact to a case either during travel or in Manitoba, the province said, meaning the illness is spreading through community transmission.
Measles, which is spread through droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing, can be life-threatening and tends to be more severe in infants and young children. A person with the illness can spread the virus from four days before their rash appears to until four days after that.
Measles symptoms generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure, and may include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots can also appear on the inside of the mouth or throat, the province said.
A red, blotchy rash can also appear on the face several days after initial symptoms and progress down the body. Measles can also lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
As of May 10, the most current data available, Manitoba had confirmed 44 cases of measles this year and four more probable cases. That number includes 26 confirmed cases in May alone.
Anyone who has been exposed and develops symptoms is advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider to advise them of the potential exposure to the illness. Any others in the household who aren't immunized against measles should limit their exposure to others until the symptomatic person has gotten advice from their health-care provider.
The province said it's best to call ahead before seeking treatment so health-care staff can take steps to reduce the chance of others being exposed to the virus.
Public health is communicating with the Gretna school to notify staff, volunteers and students' families to provide more specific advice depending on their exposure. All families, staff and volunteers will be getting letters with the relevant information, the province said.
Immunization is the only way to protect people from contracting measles, the province said, adding people can contact an immunization provider such as a local public health office, physician or nurse practitioner to ensure everyone in their family is up to date.
In Manitoba, 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. If a child is exposed to measles, the second dose can be given earlier, the province said.