As 6th case of measles found in province, Sask. health authority urges vaccination

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is reporting a sixth case of measles in the province. 

The latest case is an adult in southwest Saskatchewan who recently traveled through the U.S. and Mexico. They were not immunized for the disease.

To date, there have been three confirmed measles cases in the southwest of the province, two in the southeast and one in the northwest. 

While the number of confirmed measles cases in Saskatchewan is still much lower than other provinces like Alberta and Ontario, the SHA is still warning the public of the threat it poses, and is strongly encouraging residents to get vaccinated for the disease.

"It is extremely contagious. It doesn't take much for it to be spread to other folks," said Dr. David Torr, a health officer with the SHA.

"It's not like influenza where it's just droplets or even with COVID, measles just is very, very easily transmissible through the air." 

Measles can also be transmitted through a person touching their face after contacting a contaminated surface, where it can survive for up to two hours after contact.

Symptoms of the measles virus include fever, coughing and a runny nose. As the disease develops in the body, small white spots may appear inside the mouth and throat. About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red blotchy rash can develop on the victim's face.

There is no known cure for measles, but Dr. Torr emphasized the effectiveness of the vaccine, which is readily available. The key to stopping the spread of the virus, he said, was reaching a critical mass of vaccinated people. 

"If we had 95% across the board of immunization, we would have extremely good herd immunity," he said. "But we have such a variation, depending on which area or which little small geography you look at that varies anything from 40, 50, 60, 80 per cent."

Schools are not requiring students to be vaccinated to attend, but the SHA is strongly encouraging students to get vaccinated. It provides the vaccine free of charge to Saskatchewan residents who were not vaccinated as children. Residents unsure of their vaccination status can check it by visiting MySaskHealthRecord.

The SHA is advising residents that if they have symptoms of measles or need measles testing, they should not visit a clinic or hospital. Instead, they should call HealthLine 811 for instructions and guidance. 

Residents can also visit the measles information page on the SHA website.