CALGARY – Travellers a one WestJet flight from Vancouver to Calgary and another from Calgary to Regina are being warned they could have been exposed to measles.
Health officials in Regina say an unimmunized infant who traveled to Saskatchewan by air in early January was confirmed to have the disease.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can be easily transmitted through the air and your symptoms would include high fever, cough, and runny nose followed by a rash.
The infant’s family flew from the Philippines to Vancouver on Jan. 2nd, and then to Calgary and Regina on Jan. 7th. Passengers who travelled on the same flights (PR116, West Jet 544, West Jet 314) as the family could have been exposed to measles, and people who develop symptoms are asked to visit a health provider – especially if they have not been immunized.
“Measles cases are quite uncommon in Saskatchewan, but this situation underscores the importance of vaccinations,” Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Denise Werker said. “The risk of exposure to highly contagious diseases can be particularly high during busy travel seasons, for people travelling within Canada as well as to and from countries experiencing measles outbreaks.”
Dr. Werker said the infant is receiving treatment and recovering. The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Public Health agency of Canada and health officials in B.C. and Alberta to monitor the situation.
Saskatchewan has also confirmed one other case of measles in the province this year involving a person who travelled from the Philippines, but he was not infectious when he was travelling.
Flights that the infant travelled on:
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014:
Philippine Airlines PR116 – Manila to Vancouver (Arrived 16:30)
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014:
West Jet 544 – Vancouver to Calgary (Departed 08:00, Arrived 10:25)
WestJet 314 – Calgary to Regina (Departed 12:05, Arrived 14:30)
Symptoms of Measles Include
Fever of 38.3° C or higher,
cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and
a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. Though there is no treatment for measles, it can be prevented through immunization.
In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose between the ages of four and six years.
Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta (1.866.408.5465) to discuss.
– With files from Shawn Knox
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