Public Health confirms case of measles in the Moncton area

Public Health confirms case of measles in the Moncton area

Visitors to the Moncton airport arrivals area, hospital emergency department among those potentially exposed

A case of measles has been confirmed in the Moncton area, New Brunswick Public Health said Friday.

Dr. Yves Léger, the chief medical officer of health, said the infected individual had travelled internationally and tested positive on their return. No other information about the individual was provided.

“Fortunately, this individual did seek care fairly quickly, so that helped to limit the number of potential exposures,” he said.

“It is certainly one of those infections that we are very concerned about in part due to its very contagious nature … that's always why we take any measles case very seriously, and we respond very aggressively.”

According to the health advisory, people who have travelled to the following areas were potentially exposed to the virus:

Léger said the infection spreads through respiratory droplets during coughing or sneezing. He said the spread is airborne and could occur much before a rash appears.

“If you're having a face to face conversation, it can be spread that way … the virus can linger in the air and you can be exposed that way as well,” he said.

The advisory offered guidance to people who have been to one of the locations identified as a place of exposure.

"Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the date associated with the exposure," the advisory said.

Those born before 1970 are generally considered protected from measles.

Those born after 1970 would need two documented doses of vaccine to be considered immune, the advisory said. Vaccinations may appear in health records as MMR, which stands for measles, mumps and rubela.

Within 72 hours of exposure, people who haven't had measles-containing vaccines and are not immune to the disease are advised to contact Public Health at 506-378-1473. These people may be eligible for a post-exposure treatment.

Symptoms for measles develop within three weeks of exposure and may include fever, cough, runny nose, sore or red eyes, or tiny white spots in the mouth, the advisory said.

Symptoms are followed by a rash that appears about three to five days starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.

The province advised those with symptoms to isolate themselves from others within the household and avoid any public areas, including hospital emergency departments. Call 811, the Telecare number, for further advice.

Léger said New Brunswickers planning summer vacations across Canada ir internationally are advised to check if they are immune to measles or other vaccine-preventable diseases.

“We want New Brunswickers to pay attention to this and … to make sure that they're up to date on their immunizations and they're protected,” he said.

Rhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca