Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

New Brunswick Health Officials Confirm 9Th Case Of Measles In Province

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 May, 2019 07:10 PM

    FREDERICTON — Health officials in New Brunswick have confirmed another case of measles — bringing the total to nine in the Saint John area — and some officials predict the number could go higher.


    Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer, says the latest case is linked to a previous infection at Kennebecasis Valley High School.


    On Friday, public health officials issued a directive that staff and students at the high school must receive a measles booster shot if they want to continue working and studying at the school.


    As of Monday, more than 950 students and staff had been given the vaccine, and it was still available to the final few people who had not received it.


    District school officials have cancelled a number of planned out-of-province class trips at two other schools in the district as a result of the measles outbreak.


    "In light of the long incubation period of the measles virus, and the understanding that more cases of measles could possibly be confirmed in the coming days, it was decided not to take an unnecessary risk," district communications director Jessica Hanlon wrote in an email.


    "Our greatest concern would be that a student could start to present symptoms while travelling, away from home and their regular health care provider, and in extended, close proximity to their classmates."


    Early symptoms of the virus may include fever, cough or tiny white spots in the mouth.


    Within three to seven days, a red rash will appear, first on the face and then spreading to the body, arms and legs.


    Dr. Serge Melanson, an emergency physician in Moncton and president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, said he's not surprised by the number of cases. He believes the total could rise.


    "Given the infectiousness and ease of spread of this particular virus, it's not all that surprising that we're up to nine. And that's despite public health and the regional health authorities doing an exceptionally good job getting out a lot of information to folks on what to do and how to contain it and to urge people to vaccinate," he said Tuesday.


    "It has a very long incubation period, which means people can feel relatively well for a good week or two weeks before they display symptoms, which means they have a lot of opportunity to transmit it to other folks," Melanson said.


    Education Minister Dominic Cardy has said he's not ruling out mandatory immunization for teachers and school staff in the province. Russell has been asked if she thinks that's necessary but said that during an outbreak is not the time for that debate.


    On Friday, legislators in neighbouring Maine signed into law a bill that eliminates religious and philosophical exemptions for vaccinations in the state. Maine has one of the highest rates of non-medical vaccine exemptions in the United States.


    Melanson said he isn't prepared to push for the same action in New Brunswick.


    "I'll leave those policy debates to those drafting those laws, but I will say there's little scientific doubt that the easiest, safest and best way to prevent the spread of these communicable diseases is by vaccination," he said.


    "What the medical field can do better, I think, is attempting to debunk some of the messages that are out there in the community, on social media and other platforms that are promoting vaccination hesitancy."


    The measles virus is transmitted through the air or by direct contact with an infected person. Measles can be more severe in adults and infants and can lead to complications.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Experts Search Rubble Of Former Victoria Hotel After Suspicious Fire

    Experts Search Rubble Of Former Victoria Hotel After Suspicious Fire
    VICTORIA — Police and fire investigators in Victoria are sifting through the charred remains of the Plaza Hotel, which was destroyed last week by a fire that police say is considered suspicious.

    Experts Search Rubble Of Former Victoria Hotel After Suspicious Fire

    B.C. Needs Goals, Timeline For Potential Money Laundering Inquiry: Wally Oppal

    Wally Oppal said he believes his inquiry had an impact after it wrapped in 2012. Police now investigate these cases far differently than they did when serial killer Robert Pickton was preying on vulnerable women, he said.

    B.C. Needs Goals, Timeline For Potential Money Laundering Inquiry: Wally Oppal

    Global Affairs Says One Canadian Among Four Killed In Float Plane Crash In Alaska

    VANCOUVER — A Canadian killed Monday in a mid-air collision involving two sightseeing planes in Alaska is one of two people still missing, Princess Cruises says in a statement.

    Global Affairs Says One Canadian Among Four Killed In Float Plane Crash In Alaska

    Small Communities Grapple With 'Huge Challenge' Of Opioid Crisis

    OTTAWA — In the small town of Arnprior, nestled into the Ottawa Valley, at least five suspected opioid overdoses in the span of week prompted police to issue a public warning.    

    Small Communities Grapple With 'Huge Challenge' Of Opioid Crisis

    Scientists Challenge Claim That Labrador Is Site Of Planet's Oldest Life

    A team of geological researchers is challenging claims that some of the earliest forms of known life existed in northern Labrador.    

    Scientists Challenge Claim That Labrador Is Site Of Planet's Oldest Life

    Alberta Premier Says Provincial Carbon Tax Will Die May 30

    EDMONTON — Alberta's premier says the province's carbon tax will no longer exist as of May 30.

    Alberta Premier Says Provincial Carbon Tax Will Die May 30