Prairie North issues alert over probable measles outbreak

Officials from the Prairie North Health Region west of Saskatoon are advising people to be onalert for the symptoms of measles after identifying one confirmed and three probable cases, mostly in Lloydminster.

All the cases involve childrenunder the of 16, who were not immunized against the disease.

On Wednesday, officials provided a list of locations associated with the current cases, as a way to notify members of the public who may have been exposed.

According to the health region, members of the public who visited the following establishments during the dates and times identified "should be aware of the symptoms of measles which include high fever, cough and runny nose, followed by a rash":

• St. Walburg School (Apr.17, all day).
• St. Walburg Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption (Apr. 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
• Tim Hortons, Highway 17 South, 3902 50 Avenue, Lloydminster (Apr. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
• Real Canadian Superstore, 5031 44 Street, Lloydminster (Apr. 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
• Safeway, 5211 44 Street, Lloydminster (Apr. 23, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Giant Tiger, 4719 50 Avenue, Lloydminster (Apr. 23, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.).
• Boston Pizza, 6303 44 Street, Lloydminster (Apr. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
• Marks Work Wearhouse, 4213 70 Avenue, Lloydminster (Apr. 21, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
• WalMart, Highway 16 & 70 Avenue, Lloydminster (Apr. 21, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
• McDonalds Restaurant, south side, Lloydminster (Apr. 21, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

The region notes that anyone who develops symptoms of measles is asked to call a health provider's office and inform them of the situation to see how a visit to the office can be arranged so as to minimize contact with other patients.

People with severe symptoms should get immediate medical attention, and call ahead to avoid transmission of measles to others.

Dr. Brenda Cholin, the region's Medical Health Officer, added that public health officials are also identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed to the measles virus during the contagious period.

These people are being given information about measles and what to do if they develop symptoms, Cholin said in a statement.

The earliest a person will experience symptoms is one week following exposure.

The region notes that people born before 1970 are usually assumed to be immune from contracting the measles.

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially serious disease that is easily transmitted through the air.