No new measles cases detected in Sask. after alert issued last week

There have been no new cases of the measles detected in the province since an alert was issued last week.

Last Friday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority alerted the public about someone in Saskatoon who had contracted the measles during international travel in early January.

When that person returned to Saskatoon, they still could’ve been contagious with the virus.

That person visited the Reitman’s, Dollarama and Walmart on Clarence Avenue in Stonebridge on Jan. 7 between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as the Arts Building Cafe on Campus Drive on Jan. 9 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and the adult emergency waiting room at Royal University Hospital on Jan. 16 between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Anyone who was at those locations during those times was asked to monitor for symptoms.

“At this time, no new cases have been detected,” the health authority said in a statement to 650 CKOM on Friday.

“Potential contacts and exposure locations have been identified, and the SHA is reviewing their immunization status and providing instructions in case measles symptoms develop.”

Although no new cases have been detected, the health authority said it is continuing to monitor the situation closely for any additional cases.

Measles symptoms can include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability, small white spots inside the mouth and throat and a red, blotchy rash which develops on the face and spreads down the body.

The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person coughed or sneezed. It can also spread to others from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Through this period, patients need to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the virus to others.

“Measles can be prevented by vaccination,” the health authority previously noted. “The measles vaccine is safe, effective and free. With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100 per cent effective.”