Public health Sussex urges people to test for measles, vaccinated after the confirmed case

Public health is asking new Breanswicks in Sussex or people who visited the region recently to monitor measles symptoms and vaccinated after a reinforced case of the disease.

The case announced on Thursday, is believed to be related to another infected person from outside the province who was traveling from the region from 22 to 23 June.

This is the first reinforced New Breanswick case of measles in 2025, and Regional Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kimberly Barker says that health officials need to take immediate action.

“We suspect that there are some other cases,” Barker told CBC Radio that Information morning,

“Often people do not report health care systems to test.”

Those who could be made aware of the person involved in this case are being asked for self-monitor measles symptoms for 21 days. Those symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat or red eyes, nose or small white spots on the mouth.

“A few days later, a classic rash that begins on the face, changes its path behind the ears and slowly under the body,” said Barker.

He said that it is important to keep in mind that measles is not present on the palms of your hands or on the soles of your feet. These symptoms can help to separate measles from other rash -causing diseases.

This is an allergic season, Berker said, so if taking antihistamine relieves symptoms for a person, then they are less likely to have measles.

Public health is asking people who develop symptoms for self-separation in their home and call telecare 811 to describe their symptoms and get guidance. It is also urging people with symptoms not to take care of the person in the health clinic or emergency department.

“In particular in the Sussex region, it has been almost three weeks since the first trip to the first case through New Breanswick,” Berkar said. “It is difficult to say who can be exposed during their time, it is difficult to say how many people were out and about thinking about they had just an allergy to a flowing nose.”

Barker said that even though there is only a confirmed case, public health has declared this measles outbreak, as it is challenging to confirm additional cases.

Barker stated that nurses have streamlined the test process except for a cup of urine samples in homes in the Sussex area.

“This is the community on which we are the most concentrated,” Berkar said.

Free vaccination is available

Public health is offering people over 12 months of age. A vaccine clinic will be held at the Public Health Office in Sussex on Saturday at 30 Mofet Avenue. From 10 am to 2 pm

People can book an appointment Provincial Scheduled Or by calling tele-survisage on 1-833-437-1424.

This vaccine was introduced in New Breanswick just like the 1970s, so Public Health says that it is possible that anyone born before 1970 was brought into contact with measles and today there may be no need for vaccination.

“A dose was offered to the people born after 1970, then in the early 90s we realized the importance of a second dose,” Berkar said.

He said that New Breanswicks can check their vaccination status by contacting their family physicians or through the province’s online health database Myhealthnb.

Barker says that it is not a disease to carry measles in a lighter because it is highly contagious and can cause death, especially in children under five years of age and those who are immunocomopried.

“Among the 100 people with measles, we will probably see 15 people hospitalized,” Berkar said, “It is often a serious disease, including brain swelling, pneumonia, ear infections that can lead to issues going on with your hearing, so very important results.”

Barker said it is expected to look at three deaths for every 1,000 cases of measles.