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Measles public health letter

March 18, 2024 Announcement
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Dear Parents/Guardians and Caregivers: 

There has been a significant rise in measles cases in many parts of the world. Most confirmed cases of measles in Canada are in returning travellers who were infected abroad. To date, there have been no laboratory confirmed cases in Manitoba in 2023/24. 

Measles is very contagious. The most recognized symptom of measles is a red, blotchy rash, which often begins on the face and spreads down the body. Other common symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. 

Measles is a serious illness, especially for young children, and can result in lung and brain infections and other conditions that lead to serious complications or death. 

The best protection against measles is vaccination. As part of Manitoba’s routine immunization schedule, children can receive two doses of a measles vaccine to protect against the disease; either the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine that also provides protection against chicken pox. This vaccination is given at 12 months and again between the ages of four and six years. Together, these doses provide 97 per cent protection against measles. In addition to those doses, children age 6 months to under 12 months are eligible for 1 dose of MMR vaccine if travelling to a measles endemic country. 

The full list of eligibility criteria for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccines in Manitoba can be found at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html 

Immunization Records: 

You can get your immunization record by submitting a request via the e-form https://forms.gov.mb.ca/immunization-update-request/. 

You may also be able to get a copy by: 

  1. Contacting your local public health office, https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/offices.html 
  2. Checking if your local medical clinic or physician’s office can provide them to you, or 
  3. Asking at a local nursing station or health centre. 

If you or your children are new to Manitoba and have immunization records, these can be submitted to Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care to have them validated and entered into Manitoba’s Immunization Registry. More information on the process to submit records is available on the Immunization Records website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/div/records.html. 

We encourage parents/guardians and caregivers to be vigilant for measles symptoms, especially after travelling. If you suspect you or your child may have measles, please call your primary health care provider and get their advice on next steps. 

Further resources can be found at: 


Sincerely,

Richard Baydack, PhD 
Director 
Communicable Disease Control 
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care 

 

Dr. Davinder Singh, MD, JD, MSc, FRCPC 
Vaccine Lead, Medical Officer of Health, 
Communicable Disease Control 
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care 


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