High school, ER among 3 new measles risk sites in southern Manitoba

Public health officials are warning that people may have recently been exposed to measles at an emergency department, a school and a restaurant in southern Manitoba.

Anyone who was at Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler, about 100 kilometers southwest of Winnipeg, between 8:25 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. on Nov. 26 should monitor for symptoms of the virus until Dec. 18, the province said in a news release Monday. Those attending high school from 8:25 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. on November 27 should monitor for symptoms through December 19.

People who were at the Outpost Grill at the junction of Highways 3 and 14 in Winkler between 4 and 9 p.m. on November 29 should monitor for symptoms until December 21.

People may also have contracted measles at the Boundary Trails Health Center ER, between Morden and Winkler, last week.

Anyone who was in the emergency room during these times and dates should monitor for symptoms:

• Monitor for symptoms from 6:25 pm to 10:10 pm on December 2, through December 24.
• Monitor for symptoms from 9:20 pm on December 3 to 11:59 pm, through December 25.
• Monitor for symptoms from 12 AM to 2:40 AM on December 4, through December 26.

People who were at one or more of these locations during the specified times are urged to check their vaccination records and make sure they are up to date with the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through droplets created in the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. Even spending a few minutes in the same place with a sick person carries the risk of contracting viruses such as Can stay in an airspace for up to two hours,

Symptoms of measles usually appear seven to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, and red eyes. Small white spots may also appear inside the mouth or throat.

Several days after the initial symptoms, a blotchy red rash appears on the face and moves toward the body.

Measles can cause complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation in the brain).

As of November 29 this year, there have been 270 confirmed and 22 probable cases in Manitoba. data from the province said last week.

Most people recover completely from measles within two or three weeks. Complications are more common in infants and adults and people with weakened immune systems.

In Manitoba, 16 measles patients have required hospitalization so far this year, including 13 children under the age of 10.