Manitoba records 10th measles case

Manitoba Public Health has reported four new probable cases of measles, raising the number of confirmed and probable infections reported since February to 10 cases.

A provincial government spokesperson said there is no public risk at this time.

“These were travel-related cases (from Ontario) with no known potential exposures to report,” the spokesperson said. “The individuals were isolated immediately upon their return (in a personal vehicle) to Manitoba, prior to their period of communicability.”

The latest exposure date was March 15, between 11 a.m. and 2:20 p.m., at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. It is not connected with the four probable cases.

In February, the province confirmed five cases of the virus, one of the most contagious, and an additional case was reported in March.

The measles virus spreads through close personal contact with an infected person and through the air via cough or sneeze.

The virus can be spread by droplets that can stay in the air for several hours. Infection can result in serious illness or death.

Public health officials say the majority of cases, which have spiked nationally and internationally, are primarily in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children who have been exposed in the community.

People born before 1970 or who have been vaccinated against measles are unlikely to contract the disease.

If exposed, the province still cautions people to monitor for symptoms until the date indicated in their online exposure table.

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 and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Public health officials recommend getting vaccinated against the virus, which is routinely provided through the two-dose measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella program for children who are at least one year old and again when they are four to six.

Cases of the virus have been rising across the country, including 155 new cases in Ontario since last week, The Canadian Press reported.

Ontario’s case count has reached 816 since the outbreak began last fall.

Several weeks of stabilization in new cases, in the 100 per week range, had given public health officials optimism.

Dr. Sarah Wilson, public health physician with Public Health Ontario, said the fact that province surpassed 800 cases is striking.

“It’s precedent-setting in terms of its size,” Wilson said, reflecting on the magnitude of the spread.

She said getting the outbreak under control could take months as it continues to circulate in pockets of unvaccinated communities.

— with files from The Canadian Press

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca