Latest news with #AberdeenHospital
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Health-care providers urge vigilance as more measles cases confirmed in Pictou County
Heath experts encourage awareness when making summer plans as four cases of measles are under investigation in Pictou County. Dr. Cristin Muecke, the regional medical officer of health for the northern zone, said there are three lab confirmed cases and one probable case in the area. "This is still a localized situation," said Muecke. "None of the cases we've seen have been a surprise. They're all connected to each other." Muecke said health authorities have been working to identify potential contacts. Public Health is asking anyone at the following exposure sites to monitor for symptoms and get in contact if symptoms start: Aberdeen Hospital emergency department in New Glasgow on July 5 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. St. Martha's Regional Hospital emergency department in Antigonish on July 5 between 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Muecke said people should make sure they are up to date on immunizations before any trips or gatherings this summer. "Measles is one of the most contagious infections, so we see a high proportion of people getting infected if they are unprotected," said Muecke. At first, measles can present like a common cold. People can be contagious with the disease before telltale symptoms start. These symptoms include fever, a red blotchy rash, and small white spots that may show up inside the mouth and throat. The disease is particularly dangerous for those with compromised immune systems, young children and pregnant people. Measles can cause serious health issues and in the case of pregnancy, the disease can be transmitted to the fetus. It can be deadly in severe cases. Measles is a low risk to the general public because most people are protected by vaccination or have immunity due to a previous infection, according to Nova Scotia Public Health. There have been five cases of measles in Nova Scotia this year, according to figures released this week. Muecke said there has been a high uptake of vaccinations in the Pictou County region with measles vaccination clinics in New Glasgow getting a lot of visits.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles case detected in Pictou County
Nova Scotia Health is investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles in Pictou County and suggests there could be more cases, with "additional contacts who are also ill with measles-like symptoms." In a news release Monday, the health authority said the confirmed case is believed to be related to travel within Canada to an area with known measles cases. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread. Public Health is contacting people who are known to have had close contact with the case "to ensure up-to-date immunization and identify further cases as quickly as possible." While Nova Scotia Health believes exposures may be limited, it said anyone who was at the following locations may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms: Aberdeen Hospital emergency department in New Glasgow on Saturday, July 5, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. St. Martha's Regional Hospital emergency department in Antigonish on July 5 between 10:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. The release said anyone displaying symptoms should contact Public Health at 902-481-5824. Anyone who may have been exposed and is pregnant, immunocompromised or under 12 months old should contact Public Health immediately at 902-893-5820. Nova Scotia Health said the risk of measles to the general population is considered low, since most people are protected by vaccination or because of a previous infection. Symptoms of measles include: Fever. A red blotchy rash on the face that spreads down the body. Cough, runny nose, red eyes. Small white spots that may show up inside the mouth and throat. Nova Scotia had its first confirmed case of measles in May. MORE TOP STORIES
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
N.S. reports measles case in Pictou County, warns of possible exposure at hospital
The Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, N.S., is shown in this undated image. 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
