Measles exposure risk in North Battleford and Saskatoon

Updated symptomatic contact information: Please call HealthLine 811 for advice.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is notifying the public of measles exposure risks in North Battleford and Saskatoon. The exposure risks resulted from a confirmed case. Individuals who were at any of the following locations during these time periods should monitor themselves closely for up to 21 days after potential exposure:

North Battleford

• River Valley Eye Care: Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Gold Eagle Casino: Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 12:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart in Frontier Mall: Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tim Hortons by Frontier Mall: Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Splish Splash Auto and Pet Wash: Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Battleford Union Hospital – Emergency Department:
  • Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday, March 24, 2025 from  2:00 a.m. to 07:30 a.m.
  • Monday, March 24, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saskatoon

• Smiley’s Buffet and Catering (702 Circle Dr, Saskatoon): Friday, March 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Queen Nails & Spa Confederation Mall (300 Confederation Dr #46, Saskatoon): Friday, March 21, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Play Toon Indoor Playground (331 60th Street, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop (831 51st Street Unit 70, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tim Hortons (709 Circle Dr E, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Value Village (2115 Faithful Ave, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• HomeSense (3047 Clarence Ave S, Saskatoon): Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Measles symptoms include:

• fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• fatigue,
• irritability (feeling cranky or in a bad mood),
• small, white spots (known as Koplik spots) inside the mouth and throat, and
• 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.

Measles can be prevented by vaccination. The measles vaccine is safe, effective, and free. With two doses, measles vaccination is almost 100 per cent effective. Please review you immunizations in you MySaskHealthRecord or discuss with your health practitioner to ensure you and your family's immunizationsOpens in new window are up to date.

Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, if you exhibit any of the above symptoms AND were at the identified location during the specified times, please call HealthLine 811 for symptom assessment and care advice. You may also contact your physician or nurse practitioner and inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. Do not attend a clinic in person if you are symptomatic, call HealthLine 811 for instructions. 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 call 911, ensuring you identify that you may have been exposed to measles.

If you were at any of the locations listed during the dates and times noted above AND are born after 1970 AND have NOT received two doses of measles vaccine (measles-rubella (MROpens in new window), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccineOpens in new window and/or the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRVOpens in new window)), please attend a drop-in clinic at:

• Merlis Belscher Place in Saskatoon
  • Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or
  • Friday, March 28, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• North Battleford
  • Call the Public Health Office for assessment and appointment at (306) 446-8635.

Measles is a highly contagious disease. It can spread very easily by breathing contaminated air after an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a contaminated surface such as a doorknob or a shopping cart. If individuals breathe the contaminated air or touch a contaminated surface, then touch their nose, eyes or mouth, they can become infected. The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person coughed or sneezed. It can spread to others from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. Throughout this period, a person needs to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection to others.