Ag Days linked to possible measles exposure sites
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Public health officials have identified last month’s Manitoba Ag Days at the Keystone Centre in Brandon as a source of possible measles exposure.
Anyone who attended the event or visited hotels, restaurants and shops should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 13, the province announced Friday in a media bulletin.
Specifically, anyone who attended Ag Days on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11, while those who were there during the same time period on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, respectively.
Anyone who was at the Great Western Roadhouse, located inside the Canad Inns Destination Centre at 1125 18th St., on Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11.
People who attended the Agriculture in the Classroom event at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Dome Building on Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 11, while those who attended the event during the same time period on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12. and Feb. 13, respectively.
Public health is also asking anyone who was at these locations during the specified times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
Measles vaccine is recommended for individuals who were exposed at these locations and were born in 1970 or later, have never received a measles vaccine and have never had a measles infection, the province said.
Some people, however, should not get the measles vaccine — infants less than six months of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
“If symptoms develop, individuals who may have been exposed are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure to measles,” the province said. “Anyone else in the household who is unimmunized should limit exposure to others until the symptomatic person has received advice from their health-care provider.”
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat. Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body.
Measles can lead to complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
Measles is spread through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening.
More information on measles, exposures and immunization is available at www.gov.mb.ca or individuals can contact Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba.
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