Measles outbreak in the Montreal area - DO YOU NEED A VACCINE?

Friday, June 1, 2007 - 14:18
14 cases of measles have been reported in the Montreal area since April. The virus has infected two young children who had not been vaccinated and adults between the ages of 22 and 39.

ATTENTION: Most of the people born before 1970 have had measles, even if they don't remember and therefore, they don't need to be vaccinated.

People born between 1970 and 1979 have received one dose of the measles vaccine. One dose should be enough, as it is believed they received a natural booster having been exposed to different outbreaks between 1980 and 1989.

But people born between 1970 and 1979 who work in health care, travel to countries where the disease hasn't been irradicated and those who spend their time around large groups of young people, such as CEGEP or University students, should receive two doses of the vaccine.

If you are in doubt, call Info-santé, see a doctor or go to your CLSC.

Symptoms

Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages. First symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Cough
  • White spots on the inside lining of the mouth

On the third to seventh day of infection you will notice:

  • A red blotchy rash beginning on the face and becoming generalized.

Measles are VERY contagious.

Treatment

There is no treatment for the virus. It is prevented by vaccination.

Normally, if your child has had two doses of the MMR vaccine or has already had measles he is immune to the virus. If a member of your family is infected, make sure the other members have the two MMR vaccines.

Measles 
Public Health Agency of Canada 
Press release (in French)
Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux