Sask. measles cases more than doubled in past week, daily cases likely, chief medical officer says

Measles cases in Saskatchewan have surged in the past week, with health officials bracing for a daily increase in new cases, according to the province’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab. Since March 14, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has reported 27 cases of measles, with 15 of those cases occurring in the last week alone.

Dr. Shahab expressed concern about the rapid rise in cases, stating that Saskatchewan is now part of an unprecedented North American measles outbreak. He warned that the province is likely to see new cases on a daily basis. All confirmed cases have been linked to travel outside the province, but health officials are preparing for potential community spread as the number of cases continues to climb. The majority of cases are concentrated in rural communities in central and southern Saskatchewan.

Children account for about 75 percent of measles cases in the province, with the youngest patient being just five months old. Dr. Shahab noted that all but one of the 27 cases involved individuals who were unvaccinated, and two cases required hospitalization. He emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating that those who choose not to vaccinate are prolonging the outbreak in Saskatchewan.

Measles was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998 thanks to successful immunization programs. However, declining vaccination rates have led to outbreaks across the country this year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority emphasized that the measles vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing the disease. Despite this, only about 75 percent of children in Saskatchewan had received both recommended doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine by their second birthday in 2024.

Symptoms of measles typically include fever, runny nose, rash, and cough, but can progress to severe complications such as respiratory failure and brain swelling. In the most severe cases, measles can be fatal. Anyone who may have been exposed to measles and is experiencing symptoms is advised to contact HealthLine 811 or their healthcare provider for assessment.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has urged individuals who believe they may have been exposed to measles not to visit clinics directly. Instead, they should call ahead and inform medical personnel of their potential exposure before seeking medical attention. This proactive approach is crucial in preventing further spread of the virus.