Sask. Health Authority confirms second measles case in Swift Current
Health officials also investigating a 3rd suspected case in southwest area
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has confirmed a second case of the measles in Swift Current and is investigating a third suspected case of the dangerous virus in the southwest area.
One case involves an unvaccinated child and the others involve two adults with unconfirmed immunization statuses. The infections are likely linked to international travel, but more cases locally means a higher risk of community transmission, according to SHA medical health officer Dr. David Torr.
"It can appear anywhere in the province. It is accelerating," Torr said in a virtual news conference on Friday. "This is really ramping up pretty fast across the world and across our country, and we may see the same in this province."
The third suspected case is not related to the first two cases, the doctor noted.
Before this month, Saskatchewan had two confirmed measles cases in the past 10 years.
Children receiving both recommended doses of the measles vaccine by age two dropped to 75.5 per cent in 2024 from 80.2 per cent in 2020, according to the provincial government. Coverage by age seven is also on the decline, to 87.4 per cent in 2024 from 90.4 per cent in 2020.
Vaccination rates vary across the province, Torr said.
"We need 95 per cent of the population immunized to really say that we are safe against measles in this province," he said. "Some other areas have really poor vaccination rates as low as 30 per cent."
Torr added the SHA in the coming days will hang posters in health facilities and distribute information to health-care workers and schools as part of a public awareness campaign.
"The vaccine is way over 90 per cent effective and really one of the best vaccines we have on the market," Torr said. "It is safe and we've been using it for many, many years without a problem."
Residents with symptoms are advised to call HealthLine 811 or consult a physician. If symptoms worsen, they're urged to call 911 or go to an emergency room, notifying staff of possible exposure.
What is measles?
Measles begins like many other viral diseases: a fever, cough, runny nose, irritability and watery eyes. After a few days, white spots can appear in the back of the mouth. Then, a red blotchy rash might develop on the face and spread down the body about three to seven days after other symptoms begin.
Why is measles dangerous?
The measles virus is considered to be one of the most contagious health threats because it spreads easily though the air, transmits before people even show symptoms and can linger inside enclosed spaces for up to two hours. Measles can also have serious side effects, causing ear infections, pneumonia and, in more serious cases, brain infections and potentially death.
"You can get a lot of complications including inflammation of the brain or the brain linings giving you either an encephalitis or meningitis, which could lead to convulsions," Torr said. "It is a severe disease, unless you are immunized."
Who can receive booster doses?
The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine is normally provided in two doses at 12 months and 18 months of age.
Anyone born before 1970 is considered to be immune because they were likely exposed to measles in childhood when there was no measles vaccine. As a result, they're considered to have natural immunity.
People born after 1970 are considered to be fully immunized, if they've received two doses of the MMR vaccine.
How to check your immunization status
Immunization status can be checked through the online MySaskHealthRecord system.
If there are no records there, people should contact their local public health office, which can help get their records in order.
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