Public Health Officials Warn of Possible Measles Exposure at Brandon Ag Days

Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are notifying the public of new measles exposure sites in Brandon and southern Manitoba.

Anyone who attended Ag Days in Brandon, visited hotels, restaurants and shops should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13. Possible exposures may have occurred in the city on the event days, on the days leading up to it and the days following it, beyond the locations listed.

Anyone at these locations on the specified dates and times is asked to monitor for symptoms until the identified dates:

• Manitoba Ag Days, Keystone Centre, Brandon:
  • Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
  • Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12.
  • Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13.
• Great Western Roadhouse, inside the Canad Inns Destination Centre, 1125 18th St., Brandon on Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
• Manitoba Ag Days, Agriculture in the Classroom event at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Dome Building, Unit 1-A, 1200 13th St., Brandon:
  • Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
  • Jan. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12.
  • Jan. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13.
• Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House, 777 Norquay Dr., Winkler, on Feb. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 23.
• Boundary Trails Health Centre public health office, near Winkler, on Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 24.
• Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency department, near Winkler, on Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to Feb. 4 at 1:10 a.m. Monitor for symptoms until Feb. 26.

Public health is also asking anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).

For individuals who were exposed at these locations and were born in 1970 or later, and have never received a measles vaccine and have never had a measles infection:

• Measles vaccine is recommended.
• Reduce exposures with others, especially anyone who has a weakened immune system or is unimmunized, from the fifth day after exposure to the 21st day after the latest exposure.
• Watch for symptoms of measles until the date that corresponds with their situation as indicated above.
• Certain people should not get the measles vaccine including infants less than six months of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. These individuals should contact their health-care provider or public health as they may be eligible for preventative treatment (within six days of exposure).
• Close contacts may be asked by public health to isolate and consider vaccination.

Further information on measles, exposures and immunization is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles.html or individuals can contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba.

Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat. Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

If symptoms develop, individuals who may have been exposed are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure to measles. Anyone else in the household who is unimmunized should limit exposure to others until the symptomatic person has received advice from their health-care provider. It is best to call ahead so health-care staff can take steps to reduce the exposure of other people to the virus.

Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening.

Immunization is the only means of protecting people from contracting measles. Contact an immunization provider such as a local public health office, physician or nurse practitioner to ensure everyone is up to date.

In Manitoba, a two-dose measles vaccine program for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMR or MMRV) is routinely provided for children who are at least one year of age and again when aged four to six. In the case of a measles exposure, a second dose may be given earlier than four to six years of age. There is also an outbreak eligibility for some children aged six months to under 12 months. The complete eligibility criteria can be viewed at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html#MMR.

Public health officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updated information as necessary. The number of measles cases in Manitoba will be updated weekly on the measles webpage each Friday.