Measles
- See below for a detailed list of exposure locations and times.
- If you were at an identified location during the specified times, please monitor for measles symptoms and call HealthLine 811 if:
- you are not fully vaccinated; OR
- you have measles symptoms.
- Do not attend a clinic, health care facility or hospital in person if you have symptoms of measles or need measles testing. Call HealthLine 811 for information and instructions.
Measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air.
Sometimes called rubeola or red measles, measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases and can be very serious. It can affect all ages, but tends to be more severe in people who are immunocompromised and very young children. Catching measles while pregnant can affect the baby.
Measles is spread by coughing, sneezing, or breathing infected air. The virus remains active and contagious in the air for up to two hours. Measles is contagious even before symptoms develop, so many people may be exposed without knowing.
Symptoms of measles:
Symptoms of measles can appear up to 21 days after a potential exposure. They include:
Fever |
+ |
- Red eyes- Runny nose- Cough |
+ |
Rash |
- fever
- cough
- runny nose
- red eyes
- small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat
- red blotchy rash, which develops on the face and spreads down the body about three to seven days after symptoms begin and can last four to seven days.
What should you do if you have measles symptoms?
Call HealthLine 811 for instructions if you have symptoms of measles or think you were exposed to the measles virus.
Do not attend a clinic or health care facility or hospitals in person if you are symptomatic. Anyone potentially exposed may be eligible for preventative treatment for up to six days after exposure. If you are in medical distress, please call BEFORE presenting to the emergency department or if you call 911 tell them that you have been exposed to measles.
Measles can be prevented by vaccination.
The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and free. When you are fully vaccinated, a measles vaccination such as (measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and/or the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), is almost 100 per cent effective.
|
Age |
Vaccine Eligibility |
| Infants six months of age up to and including 11 months of age |
One dose of the MMR vaccine if travelling outside of Canada. If travelling to areas within Canada where measles is spreading speak to public health office |
| Children 12 months of age and older | Routine schedule is two doses of measles-containing vaccine at 12 months of age and 18 months of age given four weeks apart |
| Adults born in 1970 or later | Two lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine at least four weeks apart |
| Adults born before 1970 |
No doses of measles-containing vaccine, as there is a high chance that they had contact with measles in childhood and developed a natural immunity to measles disease. Health-care workers, child-care workers, or post-secondary students - two doses of measles-containing vaccine |
| Adults born between 1957 to 1969 with a high risk of contact to measles |
Travelers going to areas where measles outbreaks are occurring outside of Canada - one dose of measles-containing vaccine |
Please review your immunizations in your MySaskHealthRecord or discuss with your health practitioner to ensure that you and your family’s immunizations are up to date.
For more Frequently Asked Questions and vaccination information, see the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Health's measles page.
Exposure Locations and Dates
| Community | Location | Exposure Dates and Times | Monitor for Symptoms Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| REGINA | Bass Pro Shops (formerly Cabela’s) 4901 Gordon Road |
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
April 29, 2025 |
| REGINA | Walmart Supercentre - Harbour Landing 4500 Gordon Road |
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
April 29, 2025 |
| SWIFT CURRENT | Walmart 1800 Memorial Drive |
Thursday, March 27, 2025 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
April 17, 2025 |
| SWIFT CURRENT | Bar Burrito 1150 Central Avenue N Unit 1676 |
Thursday, March 27, 2025 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
April 17, 2025 |
For annual tracking of confirmed cases of measles in Saskatchewan, see the Ministry of Health's measles page.