REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is warning of a potential measles exposure in Regina following a confirmed case.
The exposure is linked to Air Canada flight AC 8196 from Vancouver International Airport, which departed March 9 at 8:54 p.m. PDT and landed in Regina at 11:50 p.m. CST.
Health officials say anyone on the flight or at the Regina International Airport between 11:50 p.m. March 9 and 2:50 a.m. March 10 may have been exposed.
The SHA is advising those who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days.
People are urged to call HealthLine 811 if they were exposed and are unvaccinated, unsure of their vaccination status or begin to develop symptoms.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue and irritability. Small white spots inside the mouth, known as Koplik spots, may also appear. A red blotchy rash typically develops on the face and spreads down the body three to seven days after symptoms begin.
Health officials say individuals who are unvaccinated, pregnant, under one year of age or immunocompromised may be eligible for preventative treatment within six days of exposure.
Anyone experiencing symptoms is asked not to visit a clinic in person and to call HealthLine 811 for further instructions.
If medical care is required, individuals should call ahead before visiting an emergency department or inform 911 operators of possible measles exposure so precautions can be taken.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air or by contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The disease can be spread from four days before a rash appears until four days after it develops, and infected individuals must isolate during that time.
Health officials say vaccination remains the best protection against measles. Two doses of the vaccine are nearly 100 per cent effective and are available at no cost.
Residents are encouraged to review their immunization records through MySaskHealthRecord or consult a health-care provider to ensure vaccinations are up to date.
More information is available here.
