what you need to know about the measles as the disease hits n.s.
the first confirmed case of measles was reported in nova scotia on tuesday
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the first case of measles in nova scotia was confirmed on tuesday by public health.
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the first confirmed case of measles was reported in nova scotia on tuesday.
the case was in the central zone (halifax) and was due to travel outside canada.
while public health says the risk to the general public is considered low, as most people are protected from measles by being vaccinated or from previous infection, there are questions about the disease and how to protect against it.
what are the symptoms of measles?
fever, a red blotchy rash on the face that spreads down the body, cough, runny nose, red eyes and small white spots that may appear inside the mouth and throat.
what should i do if i have questions about my symptoms?
you should call 811, and a registered nurse can offer advice on whether you or the person you are calling about needs to seek medical care. if you need to see a health-care provider for assessment, such as your family doctor, call ahead to make sure they are prepared. measles is highly contagious and health-care providers need to take special precautions to protect other patients and themselves from being exposed.
is measles an infectious disease?
measles is a highly contagious viral illness, transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets, or airborne spread, when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. symptoms can appear 7-21 days after being infected.
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who is most susceptible to measles?
measles can have serious complications for infants, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems.
how long does it take to recover?
most people fully recover within two to three weeks.
how can measles be prevented?
the best way to protect against measles is to be vaccinated. a single dose of the measles vaccine is estimated to provide 85-95 per cent protection. however, with a second dose, it increases to almost 100 per cent. in nova scotia, children are routinely vaccinated with two doses of the measles vaccine at 12 and 18 months old using the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (mmrv) vaccine.
who is eligible for a measles-containing vaccine?
- measles-containing vaccines are part of the routine immunization schedule for nova scotians.
infants (6-11 months): if planning to travel, one dose of mmrv vaccine may be given. the child will still need two routine doses after their first birthday. - children and youth (1-17 years): two doses of mmrv are normally given at 12 and 18 months. older children and youth are eligible for two catch-up doses if childhood vaccines were missed.
- adults (18-55 years, born in 1970 or later): adults born between 1970 and 1995 were offered only one dose as children and another dose is recommended.
- adults born in 1996 or later were offered two doses as children. if two doses were received, they are fully vaccinated.
- adults are eligible for up to two catch-up doses if childhood vaccines were missed. older adults (55+ years, born in 1969 or earlier) are generally considered immune but can get a single dose if travelling.
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who has measles immunity?
you are considered to have measles immunity if you have had a previous lab-confirmed measles infection or have been vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine.
how do i find my immunization history?
public health encourages all nova scotians to review their family’s vaccine history and ensure all immunizations are up to date.
many vaccination records are available online at vaxrecordns.nshealth.ca, or you can follow up with your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).
is the measles vaccine free?
measles vaccines are free to those who are eligible.
how can i book a measles vaccine?
you can book a measles vaccine through your primary care provider, community pharmacy primary care clinics or public health. find out more at nshealth.ca/measles or call 1-833-797-7772.
should i get vaccinated before travelling?
adults without measles immunity travelling to areas where measles is a concern should speak to their health-care provider or contact public health to decide whether a vaccine is needed.
how do i find out if there are other cases of measles?
public health will send out an advisory to make the public aware of any additional cases and possible contact locations.
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what should i do if i have been at an exposure location?
call public health at 902-481-1697. leave a voicemail and include details of the exposure and symptoms of measles. public health will help arrange testing and use this information to find others who could be sick to prevent further exposures.
more information about measles and special clinics for immunization is available at nshealth.ca/public-health/infectious-diseases/measles.
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