In its latest update, Manitoba Health has announced four additional measles exposure sites across Southern Manitoba, with two of them in the Pembina Valley:
- Boundary Trails Health Centre Emergency Department on June 7th from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone who was there at that time is asked to monitor symptoms until June 29th.
- Plum Coulee School June 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Anyone who was there at that time is asked to monitor symptoms until June 27th. Also at Plum Coulee School, on June 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Anyone who was there at that time is asked to monitor symptoms until June 28th.
According to a news release issued late Friday afternoon, Public health is communicating directly with Plum Coulee School to notify staff, volunteers and families of students who attend the school to provide advice specific to their exposure. All families of students, and school staff and volunteers will be receiving letters with the relevant information.
According to the latest data from Manitoba Health, through June 7th, there have been 98 confirmed cases and 8 probable cases of measles in the province since January 1st. According to the Health Canada's weekly measles and rubella monitoring program, 225 new measles cases (208 confirmed, 17 probable) were reported the week of May 25th to 31st (the latest available data), and to date since the start of the year 2,968 measles cases (2,698 confirmed, 270 probable) have been reported.
Meanwhile, the other two exposure sites are:
- Portage District General Hospital Emergency Room, 524 Fifth St. SE, Portage la Prairie, on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone who was there at that time is asked to monitor symptoms until July 4.
- Steinbach QuickCare Clinic, 381 Stone Bridge Crossing, Steinbach, on June 10 from 12:50 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anyone who was there at that time is asked to monitor symptoms until July 2.
Immunization is the only means of protecting people from contracting measles. 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.