The Saskatchewan Health Authority is alerting the public of a measle exposure risk that recently occurred in Rosthern and Saskatoon.
If you were at an identified location during the specified times below, please monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure.
Saskatoon
Royal University Hospital - Emergency Department (103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon):
Sunday, July 27 from 12:50 a.m. to 5:10 A.M.
Rosthern
Rosthern Hospital – Emergency Department (2016 2nd Street, Rosthern):
Saturday, July 26 from 8:50 p.m. to Sunday, July 27 at 1:30 a.m.
Call HealthLine 811 if you were exposed and:
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are unvaccinated, or
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are unsure of your vaccination status for measles, or
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develop measles symptoms.
Measles symptoms include:
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fever,
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cough,
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runny nose,
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red eyes,
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fatigue,
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irritability (feeling cranky or in a bad mood),
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small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat, and
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red blotchy rash, which develops on the face and spreads down the body about three to seven days after symptoms begin and can last four to seven days.
Anyone who was potentially exposed may be eligible for preventative treatment for up to six days after exposure if they are unvaccinated, pregnant, under one year of age, or immune suppressed. Do not attend a clinic in person if you are symptomatic. Call HealthLine 811 for information and instructions.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread very easily to others through the air. 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 spread from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Through this period, a person needs to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection to others.
See the current exposure alerts and measles information on the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s website.