**** NSHA Media Release
Public Health investigating case of measles in Central Zone
Nova Scotia Health Public Health, in coordination with the IWK Health Centre, is investigating a confirmed case of measles in the Halifax Regional Municipality area.
As part of the routine investigation and follow up of any measles case, Public Health is directly notifying family members and friends, who are known to have had close contact with the case. This will allow us to ensure up-to-date immunization and identify further cases as quickly as possible. However, there may be members of the public that were exposed that we are not aware of and should monitor for symptoms. People at the following locations, on the dates and times specified, may have been exposed to measles:
Tanoor Restaurant
771 Bedford Highway, Bedford
Friday, April 6 from 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Family Focus Medical Clinic
667 Sackville Drive, Suite 207, Lower Sackville
Monday, April 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
IWK Health Centre Emergency Department
5941 South Street, Halifax
April 10 from 6:15 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. (April 11)
April 11 from 8:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
People at these locations who may have been exposed could expect to develop signs and symptoms of measles as early as 8 days and up to 21 days later (April 14-27 for Bedford location; April 18- May 1 for Lower Sackville location and IWK exposure 1; April 19 – May 2 for IWK exposure 2).
It is important to note that anyone who may have been at the IWK Health Centre Emergency Department during these times and is pregnant, immunocompromised, or under the age of 12 months should contact Public Health immediately (902-481-1697).
Those who may have been exposed at one of these locations, who have the signs and symptoms listed below, should do one of the following, even if they have been vaccinated:
- Call Public Health at 902-481-1697. Please include details of the exposure and signs and symptoms of measles when you call.
- Call 811 if you or someone you know has been exposed and is experiencing signs and symptoms of measles. A registered nurse can offer advice.
- If you need to see a healthcare provider for assessment, such as your family doctor, call ahead to make sure they are prepared to see you. Measles is highly contagious and health care providers need to take special precautions to protect other patients from being exposed.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Fever, cough, runny nose
- Red eyes
- A red blotchy rash on the face, which spreads down the body
- Small white spots may also show up inside the mouth and throat
The risk to the general public is low; most people are protected from measles by being vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness and is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets, or airborne spread, when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Most people fully recover within two to three weeks. However, measles can have serious complications, which are more likely in infants, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems.
In Nova Scotia, every person born after 1970 should have received two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine after their first birthday. Nova Scotia residents who are unsure of their immunization history should follow up with their primary care provider (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner) to ensure their immunizations are up-to-date. The MMR vaccine is free to Nova Scotia residents.
Additional information about measles can be found at https://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/cdc/documents/Measles-General-Information.pdf.
