Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in Manitoba. Since the first case was reported in February of this year, the number of confirmed cases reported by Manitoba Health has continued to increase. 

Manitoba is not alone in seeing a resurgence of the disease that was declared eliminated from Canada in 1998. The highly contagious virus is surging both across the country and around the world.

Here’s what you need to know to help protect you and your family. 

How does measles spread?

Measles is spread through close personal contact with an infected person and through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after a person who is infected has left the space.

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

Early symptoms usually last four to seven days. They include:

• running nose

• cough

• red and watery eyes

• small white spots inside the cheeks

It can take time for the characteristic measles rash to appear. It typically starts on the face or neck and moves down the body. People with measles are considered to be infectious from four days before the rash appears until four days after its appearance.

What are the risks?

Measles is not just another childhood disease. While most people recover within two or three weeks, about one in 10 people will develop a serious measles infection. Complications may include ear infections, pneumonia (lung infection), blindness, and encephalitis, a brain inflammation that can lead to seizures, brain damage, or death. 

Measles can be especially serious for young children, pregnant people and those with a weakened immune system. Measles occurring during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, premature delivery and babies born with low birth weight. 

In rare cases, it can also cause a devastating disease called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE). This is a progressive, disabling, and deadly brain disorder that develops many years after the measles infection.

Am I at risk? 

Over 90% of recent measles cases in Canada affect people who are not immunized or have unknown vaccination status. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.

If you are not immune, there is a very high chance you’ll get measles if you’re exposed to someone who has measles.

What can I do to protect myself if measles is found in my community? 

Immunization is the best way to protect you and your child(ren) against measles. Two doses of a measles vaccine are almost 100% effective in preventing a measles infection. 

Stay updated on the locations where public measles exposures are known to have occurred in Manitoba at Measles exposure locations in Manitoba. If you are immunized and exposed to measles, you can continue regular activities, but you should still monitor for symptoms. If you are not immunized and exposed to measles, getting a dose of measles vaccine within 72 hours of exposure may protect you against measles.

But some people who have measles in Manitoba have not identified any known exposures to measles, so it is important for everyone to check to see if they are immunized now.

When should children get vaccinated for measles?

In Manitoba, children routinely receive a measles-containing vaccine at one year of age and again when aged four to six. 

NEW ELIGIBILITY: With the current outbreak, additional eligibility criteria have been established for measles vaccine. Refer to Manitoba Vaccine Eligibility for further details. The criteria may change as the outbreak evolves.

Not sure if you’re protected against measles? 

• For those born in 1985 and later, it is likely that your immunization records are in the provincial immunization registry. If you don’t have your immunization record, you can request a copy by submitting an eform or by asking a health care provider, pharmacist or local public health office. If you are not immunized, you may be eligible for two doses of a measles vaccine.

• For those born between 1970 and 1984, it is likely that you are immunized against measles as Manitoba’s measles vaccine program started in 1967. However, Manitoba did not have a centralized immunization registry at that time. If you have reason to believe you weren’t immunized, talk to your health care provider about immunization. Health care providers can also check to see if you previously had a blood test for immunity. If you were not immunized, you may be eligible for one dose.

• Those born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles. This is because the measles virus was circulating frequently at that time and they were likely either infected or protected through immunization. 

What should I do if my child is too young to be immunized?

The vaccine is not recommended for young babies under 6 months. Young babies may have some protection from antibodies passed to them during pregnancy. 

You can help protect your baby if measles is spreading by limiting their exposure to crowds, other children, and anyone with a cold. Practice good hand hygiene just as you would to prevent germs at any time. Remind others in your home or anyone who is near your baby to do the same.

* The number of cases is updated on the Manitoba government’s website every Wednesday. The province also lists detailed information on the locations, times and days where public measles exposures have occurred.