The government invites the population to be extra careful and follow the recommendations of Public Health “due to the active circulation of measles in Quebec and the presence of several exposure environments in the regions of the Laurentides, Laval, of Montreal and Montérégie,” indicated the MSSS in a press release.
The last infected person visited Carrefour Laval during their period of contagiousness on January 7. “Thus, thousands of people may have been exposed to measles,” the ministry said.
“If you or your child are among those at risk of complications and you have visited one of the possible exposure sites, contact Info-Santé 811 as soon as possible to have the need to receive preventive treatment assessed. [injection d’anticorps] within the required deadlines. This treatment could reduce the risk of complications of the disease,” added the MSSS.
However, he clarified that vaccinated people are unlikely to contract measles.
To watch
As a precaution, anyone exposed to measles is advised to watch for the following symptoms: fever, nasal congestion with runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis, sensitivity to light and general malaise. Subsequently, redness appears on the face and body.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It is possible to be infected without having been in direct contact with an infected person. It may be enough to have been in the same room as a contagious person, even for a short period of time.
Measles can cause serious complications, especially for children under one year old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
In rarer cases, the disease can lead to ear infections, diarrhea and pneumonia. It can also cause seizures and loss of hearing or vision.
Permanent brain damage can be seen in one in 1,000 cases, according to data from the Quebec government, which reports that the disease can cause death in one in 3,000 cases.
Infected people are advised to avoid contact with others for up to four days after the rash appears, to rest and to consume plenty of fluids.
