Dozen new confirmed measles cases reported in Manitoba, health officials warn

Manitoba health officials are warning of a dozen new confirmed measles cases and two probable cases reported across the province.

There have been 290 confirmed measles cases and 25 probable cases reported since February, provincial health data shows. Manitoba Health's numbers were updated on Friday and cover up to Dec. 13.

The province typically updates its measles data every Friday, but due to the holiday season there won't be any new case counts until January.

Across Canada, there have been 5,329 measles cases — 4,956 confirmed and 373 probable — reported so far this year, according to federal health data.

On Wednesday, Manitoba health officials said in a news release that members of the public might have been exposed to measles at a health-care facility in Steinbach.

Anyone who was at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre's emergency waiting room on Dec. 14 between 2 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Jan. 5, the province said.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through droplets that form in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can linger in the air for two hours, so even a few minutes in the same space with an infected persons risks infection.

Symptoms, which typically appear between one to three weeks after exposure, can include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness, red eyes and small white spots on the inside of the mouth or throat.

The characteristic rash typically appears several days after initial symptoms.

An infected person can spread measles from four days before the rash appears until four days after it begins, according to federal public health officials.

The disease can also lead to complications, including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and brain inflammation. It tends to be most severe in infants and young children, the province said.

Manitoba Health says immunization is the only way to protect people from contracting measles.

Anyone who might have been exposed to measles is encouraged to check their immunization records and ensure measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV) is up to datw.

A two-dose vaccine program for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) is routinely provided in Manitoba for children at least one year old, and again between ages four and six.

A second dose can be given earlier if a child is exposed to measles.