Quebec reports 12 cases of the measles

Two more cases of the measles reported in Quebec, now at 12 total in the provinces – with nine in Montreal, two in Laval, and one in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec.

On Monday, public health had reported a total of 10 cases, with seven in Montreal.

Dr. Luc Boileau holding a press conference that day and warning that with Spring Break currently underway and many travelling, the number of cases is only expected to rise. “Solutions exist, the vaccine,” he said. Be vigilant he explained and get protected.

Montreal public health listing 18 locations in the city where people may have been exposed, including the arrivals and baggage carousel at Trudeau airport on Feb. 24, the emergency rooms of the Montreal Children’s, Notre-Dame, and Sainte-Justine hospitals on various days, as well on some public transit metro lines at the end of last month.

In Laval, infections seem to have come from a school and depanneur, while in the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec exposure sites include grocery stores and pharmacies. Consult the list here.

Measles is highly contagious, the virus can remain active and contagious for up to two hours in a room even after an infected person has left, and it has a long incubation period — usually between 10 and 14 days. Its symptoms include fever, cough and a bumpy, red rash. 

Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. In rare cases, measles can be fatal. 

The return of measles can be explained by a lower vaccination rate which as fallen below the 95 per cent threshold, which is the minimum immunity guarantee for Quebecers. The measles vaccine is covered by Quebec’s immunization program. Public Health wants to see every region reach a 95 per cent vaccination rate. 

Measles was previously eradicated in Canada through vaccinations, but it’s quietly spreading again and last week the provincial Ministry of Health and Social Services revealed.

Apart from the unvaccinated, pregnant women, children, and those who are immunocompromised are most at risk. Montreal Public Health will also launch vaccination operations for daycares, schools, and others for those who are not adequately vaccinated.

About 80 per cent of Montreal children in elementary and high schools have been vaccinated against measles.

One case can infect 16 people, added Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh on Monday, a pediatrician, microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal professor. “The minute you see local transmission, there is already concern there. It means that we haven’t been able to contain it with our 95 per cent population protection and so we’re really aiming to stop it at 10. If we stop at 10, we’ll be very happy.”

“If your child is more than 12 months and has not been vaccinated for measles, it’s time,” said Dr. Boileau.

For a vaccination appointment, head to Clic Santé.