REGINA - The Saskatchewan Health Authority is notifying the public of measles exposure risks in Regina. Individuals who were at any of the following locations during these time periods should monitor themselves closely for up to 21 days after the exposure:
- Walmart Superstore – 4500 Gordon Road, Regina on April 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Bass Pro Shop (formerly Cabela’s) – 910 Gordon Road, Regina on April 9 from 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Measles symptoms include:
- fever,
- cough,
- runny nose,
- red eyes,
- 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.
Measles is prevented by vaccination. The measles vaccine is safe, effective and free. With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100 per cent effective. Please review your immunizations in your MySaskHealthRecord or discuss with your health practitioner to ensure all you and your family’s immunizations are up to date.
Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, if you exhibit any of the above symptoms AND were at the identified location during the specified times, please call HealthLine 811 for symptom assessment and care advice. You may also contact your physician or nurse practitioner and inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. Do not attend a clinic in person if you are symptomatic—call HealthLine 811 for care advice. Anyone potentially exposed may be eligible for preventative treatment for up to six days after exposure. If you are in medical distress, please call before presenting to the emergency department or call 911, ensuring you identify that you may have been exposed to measles.
Measles is a 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.
