Public health advisory issued after confirmed case of measles in Swift Current

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is notifying the public of an exposure risk to the measles virus from one confirmed case of measles in Swift Current and advising that anyone who could have been exposed should double-check their vaccination status.

Anyone who was exposed and begins to show symptoms should immediately call for an appointment at a local Emergency Department, walk-in clinic, nurse practitioner, or available physician. It is important to call ahead, as measles is highly contagious, and you could make yourself a vector by presenting for an appointment in-person without appropriate precautions.

Individuals who were at any of the following locations during these time periods should monitor themselves for measles symptoms:

• Cypress Regional Hospital, 2004 Saskatchewan Drive in Swift Current on:
  • Friday, March 7, 2025
  • Saturday, March 8, 2025
  • Sunday, March 9, 2025
  • Monday, March 10, 2025
• E.I. Wood Building (the entrance, elevator and fourth floor), 350 Cheadle Street West in Swift Current, on:
  • Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Symptoms of measles include:

• fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• fatigue,
• irritability (feeling cranky or in a bad mood),
• small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat, and
• 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.

Two doses of the measles vaccine provides an almost 100 per cent protection against the disease. Even in rare cases where a fully vaccinated individual contracts the disease anyway, their symptoms of the infection and the possibility of spreading the infection to others will be greatly reduced.

The vaccine is free and is proven safe by decades of use and research. Saskatchewan residents with more questions can call HealthLine 811 to speak with an expert. The SHA asks that residents review their immunizations in MySaskHealthRecord to ensure they and their families are up to date with all recommended vaccinations.

Measles is highly contagious. It can spread by breathing contaminated air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface such as a doorknob or a shopping cart. If individuals breathe the contaminated air or touch a contaminated surface, then touch their nose, eyes or mouth, they can become infected. 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 to others 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, especially to individuals or groups who might be especially susceptible to the virus.