N.S. reports measles case in Pictou County, warns of possible exposure at hospital
Nova Scotia is reporting its second case of measles this year – this time in Pictou County – and is warning of a possible exposure at the hospital in New Glasgow.
Nova Scotia Health is still trying to determine the exact source of infection, but says the case is related to travel within Canada, to an area with known measles cases.
The health authority is also investigating additional contacts who are ill with measles-like symptoms.
'As part of the routine investigation and follow up of any measles case, Public Health is directly notifying people who are known to have had close contact with the case,' said Nova Scotia Health in a news release Monday.
'This will allow us to ensure up-to-date immunization and identify further cases as quickly as possible.'
Health officials believe exposures are limited, but they say anyone who was at the following location may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms:
Aberdeen Hospital emergency department on July 5 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Anyone who was at the ER during that time and is pregnant, immunocompromised, or under the age of 12 months old is urged to contact Public Health immediately at 1-902-893-5820. Nova Scotia Health says they may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which can help prevent measles after being exposed.
People who were exposed to measles could expect to develop symptoms anywhere between July 12 and Aug. 2.
Anyone who may have been exposed is asked to call Public Health at 902-481-5824 and leave a voicemail sharing the details of their exposure and signs and symptoms. Public Health will help arrange measles testing and use the information to find others who may have been exposed.
Nova Scotia Health says the risk to the general public is low since most people are protected from measles through vaccination or from a previous infection.
Second measles case in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia last reported a case of measles in May in an adult from the Halifax area. The province said that person fell ill after travelling to the United States.
Before then, Nova Scotia's last case was in 2023 and was also related to travel.
Spike in cases
Canada has seen a surge in measles cases since the fall.
New Brunswick reported 50 cases in the fall of 2024. It declared the outbreak over in January. No cases have been reported there this year.
P.E.I. confirmed two cases of measles in April – the first cases in the province in more than a decade.
Ontario and Alberta have seen the most cases, with more than 2,200 in Ontario and more than 1,000 in Alberta.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious health issues or even death. It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
Measles has an incubation period of seven to 21 days after infection. Initial symptoms of measles include:
fever
cough
runny nose
red, watery eyes
small, white spots, which may appear inside the mouth and throat two to three days after symptoms begin.
More severe cases of measles can lead to pneumonia, ear infections, swelling of the brain, blindness, deafness and brain injury.
Measles vaccine
There is no treatment for measles, but there is a vaccine, which is part of routine childhood immunizations in Nova Scotia. The vaccine is free.
The province says people who were born between 1970 and 1995 were offered one dose of measles vaccine as children. Anyone who has not had a second dose is encouraged to get one now.
People born in 1996 or later were offered two doses of measles vaccine. Anyone who missed one or both doses is urged to get fully vaccinated.
The province says there is no risk in getting the vaccine for people who have received it previously.
People can receive vaccinations from their routine vaccine provider, including family doctor, nurse practitioner, primary care pharmacist, public health office and special measles clinics.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Wildfire smoke leads to air quality warnings for large swath of Manitoba this weekend
Social Sharing Smoke billowing from wildfires is leading to poor air quality and reducing visibility throughout Manitoba this weekend. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a warning Saturday morning for a large swath of Manitoba, advising people to limit their time outside and reschedule any outdoor activities due to the poor air quality. The warning covers The Pas, Thompson, Flin Flon, Dauphin and other communities in Manitoba's Interlake, north and west. The federal agency said that everyone's health is at risk during heavy smoke conditions, but pregnant people, infants, seniors and those with underlying chronic health conditions are likely to be more impacted. People may experience mild symptoms, including eye, nose and throat irritation, along with headaches or a mild cough, Environment Canada said. More serious symptoms that are less common include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. Environment Canada is advising people to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. If you need to spend time outdoors, the federal agency recommends limiting it as much as possible, but even with reduced exposure, there can still be a risk to health. The federal agency is forecasting the air quality health index in Winnipeg will soar from a Level 2 (low risk) on Saturday morning to a "very high risk" 10+ level by the end of the day, remaining in that range during Sunday as well. Environment Canada is also expecting Brandon's air quality to worsen throughout Saturday. As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, the federal agency is forecasting the index to jump to Level 6 — the "moderate risk" range — by the afternoon from Level 2. The smoke is drifting from a number of wildfires in Manitoba that have forced the evacuation of thousands and led the province to declare its second state of emergency for the season. According to the province's latest fire bulletin, issued Friday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service was responding to 122 active wildfires across the province, which has seen a total of 317 wildfires to date, well above the average for this time of year of 231.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Wildfire smoke pollutes air quality in large swath of Manitoba this weekend
Smoke billowing from wildfires is polluting the air and reducing visibility throughout Manitoba this weekend. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a warning Saturday morning for a large swath of Manitoba, advising people to limit their time outside and reschedule any outdoor activities due to the poor air quality. The warning covers The Pas, Thompson, Flin Flon, Dauphin and other communities in Manitoba's Interlake, north and west. The federal agency said that everyone's health is at risk during heavy smoke conditions, but pregnant people, infants, seniors and those with underlying chronic health conditions are likely to be more impacted. People may experience mild symptoms including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, Environment Canada said. More serious symptoms that are less common include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. Environment Canada is advising people to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. If people need to spend time outdoors, the federal agency is suggesting limiting it as much as possible, but even with reduced exposure, there can still be a risk to health. The federal agency is forecasting the air quality health index in Winnipeg will soar from a level 2 (low risk) on Saturday morning to a "very high risk" 10+ level by the end of the day, remaining in that range during Sunday as well. Environment Canada is also expecting Brandon's air quality to worsen throughout Saturday. As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, the federal agency is forecasting the index to jump to Level 6 — the "moderate risk" range — by the afternoon from level 2. The smoke is drifting from a number of wildfires in Manitoba that have forced the evacuation of thousands and led the province to declare a second state of emergency. According to the province's latest fire bulletin, issued Friday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service was responding to 122 active wildfires across the province, which has seen a total of 317 wildfires to date, well above the average for this time of year of 231.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
This 19-year-old got into all 7 of her med school choices. Her motto is to ‘do it afraid'
Ore Maxwell, 19, interviewed for seven med schools after fast tracking her bachelor' s degree. She was accepted to every single program. July 16, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton) Zipping through high school, undergrad and then med school is not for everyone. That's why Ore Maxwell, at just 19 years old, credits her family for their diligent support as she did just that. Now that she's been accepted into all seven medical schools she interviewed for, she wants to remind everyone to 'do it afraid.' 'That's something that my mom often told me,' she said. Maxwell graduated with her Bachelor of Health Sciences from Queen's University (with distinction, of course) three weeks ago. She's now immersed in medical school at the University of Calgary. That wasn't her only option available, though. In fact, she was also accepted to medical programs at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Western University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. She managed to fast track her bachelor's degree too, completing it in three years instead of the traditional four. 'I really enjoyed the three-year program … I think when you have that continuity of things to me, I find that to be helpful for my style of learning,' she said. If you're keeping up with the math, Maxwell graduated high school at 16 and started university a few months later, right after she turned 17. 'Paying it forward' Between graduation and medical school, though, Maxwell still found time to make it to the Calgary Stampede with friends. 'I'm really big on paying it forward … over time, when you live in a way that you have people that help you so much, it makes you want to give back,' she said. Maxwell noted that the strong foundation of love and empathy she received from her parents and siblings were what paved a 'smooth' road, even in the most stressful moments of the application process. Maxwell was born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alta., and said she sees the 'benefit and the beauty' of both urban and rural spaces throughout her medical studies. Choosing U of C allowed her to stay in a city she loves while being taught a curriculum she said is 'holistic and comprehensive and unique.' 'Everything kind of fell into place, I think. So I'm really happy with [my] decision,' she said. She said she still hasn't chosen an exact field of medicine, but is excited to explore her options. Between founding a group that supports pediatric cancer patients during her undergrad and working or volunteering as everything from a mentor to a policy co-ordinator, Maxwell's always been busy. But she wants prospective students to know that her success required 'dedication' and 'diligence' – which she firmly believes anybody can achieve, although it is 'easier said than done.' When all else fails, she remembers the words her mother always told her. 'If you're scared about something, do it then, because that's when your emotions are the most heightened and when that sense of drive will be the most strong and passionate,' Maxwell said. 'It's OK to be scared and to be uncertain.'
