Four new measles cases in Manitoba

Manitoba announced four new confirmed cases of measles in the past week, bringing the total to 191 confirmed and 16 probable cases since February.

The numbers are accurate as of Saturday. August had the lowest count of confirmed and probable measles cases (29) since April, when 17 were reported.

Public health officials also announced two new measles exposure sites Wednesday:

• People who attended at the Winkler Medical Clinic on Aug. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. are asked to monitor for symptoms until Sept. 19.
• People in the Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency department on Aug. 28 from 1:45 p.m. to Aug. 29 at 4:45 p.m. is also asked to monitor for symptoms until Sept. 20.

Initial measles symptoms begin to appear seven to 21 days after being exposed to the virus and include: fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. The characteristic blotchy red rash appears around 14 days after exposure, usually starting on the face.

An infected person is contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after. The highly contagious virus spreads mainly through the air from coughing and sneezing; droplets can stay in the air for several hours.