Public health issues another warning after measles case in Montreal

Montreal publichealth has issued anotherwarning of possible measles exposure after an individual is believed to have contracted the illness while on a trip to Paris.

The individual, who had not been vaccinated, flew home April 26and went to a medical clinic twice, before going to hospital on May 1, the warning says.

The person was also at a Montreal school during the incubation period, which is an average of seven to 14 days.

Public health says a booster vaccine has been offered at the school and that people who may have been in contact with the infected person have been contacted.

Officials are also urgingdoctors to keep an eye out for possible cases anytime between now and May 25.

This is the third warning related to measles issued by Montreal public health in 2019.

What are the symptoms?

Measles is highly contagious and is most often spread when people first get sick or before they know they have measles.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, red and watery eyesand tiny white spots in the mouth.

Two to four days after the onset of symptoms, a rash including pimples and red spots appears, first on the face, then on the trunk, arms and legs, for three to seven days.

Measles can cause serious health complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain),which can cause seizures, brain damage or death.

Complications are more common in people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year of age.

The World Health Organization says thatthe number of reported cases around the globe hasquadrupled inthe first three monthsof 2019 compared to the same period last year.

In 2017, there were 110,000 measles deaths globally, mostly among children under the age of five, the WHO says.

The measles vaccination resulted in an 80 per centdrop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2017 worldwide.

For more information on Quebec's vaccination program, visitthe provincial government's website.