Sask. Health Authority warns of possible measles exposure at 2 Regina locations

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is warning of possible exposure to measles at two retail locations in Regina earlier this week.

In a Friday news release, the health authority warned of new potential exposures at Bass Pro Shop and Walmart Superstore on Gordon Road in the city's south end on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 9.

People in Bass Pro Shop between 3:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and in the Walmart between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., may have been exposed, the health authority says.

Anyone who was at either location during those times is urged to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for up to 21 days following the possible exposure.

Measles symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. As the infection develops, small white spots may appear inside the mouth and throat, followed by a red blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body.

The rash typically shows up three to seven days after other symptoms begin.

The measles virus is highly contagious and can spread easily through the air, the health authority said. The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person coughed or sneezed.

It can spread from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. During that time, a person with measles should stay in isolation to avoid spreading the infection, the health authority said.

Due to the virus's extreme contagiousness, the health authority is asking anyone who may have been exposed and has symptoms to stay home and call HealthLine 811 for assessment, rather than visiting clinics or emergency rooms in person. 

In certain cases, preventive treatment may still be available up to six days after exposure, the SHA said.

Measles can be prevented by vaccination. The free measles vaccine is safe, and with two doses, is almost 100 per cent effective, the health authority's release said.

Anyone who is unsure of their immunization history is encouraged to check through MySaskHealthRecord or contact a health-care provider. 

The province's website says as of Thursday, six measles cases had been confirmed in Saskatchewan this year.

There was one case last year, and there were none between 2020 and 2023.