Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rash. (Photo 146843291 © Prostockstudio | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

health

Doctor urges residents to check measles vaccination history before upcoming Easter holiday

Mar 19, 2024 | 11:54 AM

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority is urging residents to check their vaccination status for measles following a recent case in Saskatoon and an increasing number in Ontario and Quebec.

“The situation is really getting concerning, given the fact that measles was thought to be eradicated in Canada through the immunization program across the country,” said medical health officer Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka.

“In recent days, we are beginning to see quite an increase in the number of cases, not just across the globe, but also across the provinces in Canada and it concerns us because most of these are travel-related cases, so it is only a matter of time where we might begin to see instances within our own communities in northern Saskatchewan.”

As of March 15, he explained there have been 31 cases reported across Canada, which is double compared to the same time period in 2023. He also noted the percentage of measles vaccination update is not yet optimal in the region.

“There is a provincial target of 95 per cent, but for our communities on-reserve in northern Saskatchewan, we’re still around 70 per cent as of 2022 and this is for two-year-olds,” Ndubuka said.

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“There is a concern that if those kids and adults, particularly those working as health care workers or those who provide childcare services or those with medical compromising conditions, if they don’t update their immunization status, we might be having an increased risk for measles spreading in our communities.”

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It can spread person-to-person via contaminated air after an infected individual coughs or sneezes, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces like door knobs or a shopping cart.

Ndubuka recommends northerners check their vaccination records to ensure they have had at least two doses of the vaccine. He added it’s particularly important considering the upcoming Easter holiday when many people travel throughout the province and beyond.

“We are currently sending our messages through our social media fields and on our website,” Ndubuka mentioned.

“We are also sending communications through the MBC Radio, which has a wide listenership across the North. The messages will be translated into Cree and Dene, also through our local clinics in the communities.”

In regards to children, they are eligible to receive their first shot when 12 months old and a second at 18 months. However, if travel is imminent, Ndubuka noted children between the ages of six months and 11 months are eligible for a single dose.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com