A case of measles in Yorkton has been confirmed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The SHA held a news conference regarding it this afternoon (Thurs) from the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina.
The Health Authority said an individual returned from overseas travel on Sunday (June 9) and as a result issued an exposure alert for those who traveled on specific flights and through specific airports.
S-H-A also confirmed the patient is an infant who traveled from Delhi, India to Regina with connecting flights in Beijing and Vancouver.
Doctor Mark Voogt, who is the public health lead on the issue, talked about whether people should worry if this incident will turn into a larger outbreak.
“Fortunately, this family went straight to the emergency room in Yorkton from the Regina Airport, which reduced the number of exposed persons,” Voogt explained. “Therefore, I think that it may be limited in its impact and severity.”
Dr. Voogt mentioned that the patient did not have a vaccine against the disease.
“This child was too young to have received the vaccine,” Voogt said. “The measles-containing vaccine they would receive is in 12 and 18-months usually. Special provision can be made to give it to children as young as 6 to 11 months, but that requires consultation with the local public health unit.”
Passengers, travelers and area residents who may have come into contact with measles, and are unsure of their immunization against measles, are asked to contact their local Public Health Office.
(With files from CKRM)