Latest news with #DrSaqibShahab
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Saskatchewan expands measles vaccination to some infants as case numbers rise
The Saskatchewan government is making measles vaccinations available to infants aged six to 11 months who live, are travelling to, or have contact with people in areas with a high risk for measles exposure. Previously, the vaccine was first offered to infants at 12 months of age. "Providing parents with the option for an additional dose of measles vaccine for infants helps to protect those who cannot protect themselves," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill stated in a news release on Wednesday. Routine measles vaccinations at 12 and 18 months will still be needed for further protection. The move comes as the province grapples with a surge in measles cases. From March 14 to May 28, Saskatchewan reported 46 confirmed measles cases. According to the provincial government, areas with high risk of exposure in Saskatchewan include Assiniboia, Canora, Kindersley, St. Walburg, Ponteix and Wakaw. Alberta has reported more than 749 measles cases since early March. In response, Alberta Health Services made a new early dose of measles vaccines available for infants six to 11 months of age in high-risk areas. Saskatchewan has now followed suit. "This is similar to what is already being offered to some infants travelling internationally or to other parts of Canada with higher measles case numbers," Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said in a news release. Measles symptoms include: Fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. Blotchy, red rash that appears a few days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles outbreak will continue unless more people get vaccinated: Sask. chief medical officer
Social Sharing There have been 37 reported measles cases in Saskatchewan from mid-March to mid-May this year, Saskatchewan's chief medical officer said at a news conference Friday, compared to only two cases from 2015 to 2024. Dr. Saqib Shahab said cases have been confirmed in people from five months to 57 years old. "Many families are still not accepting vaccines despite public health staff reaching out to them locally," Shahab said. He said that most new cases are in unvaccinated people in the southern rural parts of the province. "This means that the measles outbreak will continue. Hospitalizations will continue. Exposure to persons at higher risk, including infants under one, unvaccinated pregnant women, and immunocompromised [people] who are at higher risk for severe complications, will continue," Shahab said. Of the 37 cases, four were hospitalized. Shahab said 70 per cent of the reported cases are school-aged children and younger adults, and 95 per cent of cases were in unvaccinated individuals. "Canada eliminated local transmission of measles in 1998. Since then, the only cases we would see would be individuals who have travelled to other parts of the world [and] came back," he said. "So this is extremely unusual for Saskatchewan and is extremely unusual for Canada as a whole." In Ontario and New Brunswick, children are required to have proof of immunization for measles, or have a valid exemption on file, to attend school. That's not the case in Saskatchewan, where children don't need to be vaccinated to attend school. "In our experience, we have had a vaccination rate of 91 per cent when children start school. So we have not felt the need to have mandatory vaccination," said Shahab. When asked why he thinks people might not be getting vaccinated, Shahab said some people may think that diseases like measles are no longer a danger, which he said is incorrect. "People may have concerns about the vaccines, but these vaccines, all vaccines, including the measles vaccine, are extremely safe and effective. And if you have questions, please talk to your health-care provider," Shahab said. He also said there is a lot of misinformation about vaccination going around that people should protect themselves from. Shahab estimates there are around 20,000 to 30,000 unvaccinated people in the province, and while vaccine uptake has been increasing over the last two months, it isn't enough to stop the outbreak and community transmission, he said. If an unvaccinated person develops a fever, cough, red eyes and runny nose, it could be the onset of a measles infection, said Shahab. A rash develops behind the ears, face, and moves to the rest of the body two or three days after the symptoms begin. "It is important to isolate as soon as symptoms start at home, not go to daycare or school, and continue isolating for at least four days after the start of the rash," Shahab said. He also said it's important to inform health authorities where you have been, so they can warn the public about possible exposures. The Saskatchewan Health Authority says while measles has no known treatment, the vaccine is almost 100 per cent effective at preventing measles after two doses.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Sask. measles cases nearly doubled in past week, daily cases likely, chief medical officer says
Measles cases in Saskatchewan have almost doubled in the past week and health officials are expecting to see new cases daily, the province's top doctor says. Since March 14, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has confirmed 27 cases of measles in the province, 15 of which happened in the past week, according to Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. "Our cases are rising rapidly now," Shahab told reporters Thursday morning in Regina. "We are now in Saskatchewan part of the unprecedented North American measles outbreak.… We are now entering a phase where we will likely see cases every day." All confirmed cases were linked to travel outside the province, but health officials are bracing for community spread as numbers rise. Most cases are happening in rural communities in central and south parts of the province, Shahab said. Children make up about 75 per cent of measles cases in the province, with the youngest being a five-month-old, Shahab said. All but one of the 27 cases involved unvaccinated people and two cases required hospitalization, he added. "The social contract of keeping each other safe and protected is broken," Shahab said. "For those who choose to keep themselves and their children unvaccinated, it means now the outbreak in Saskatchewan will continue for weeks to months." In 1998, measles was declared eliminated from Canada due to the success of public immunization programs. Declining vaccination rates have resulted in outbreaks across the country this year. The SHA said the measles vaccine is almost 100 per cent effective at preventing the disease, but in Saskatchewan only about 75 per cent of children had received both recommended doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine by their second birthday in 2024. The social contract of keeping each other safe and protected is broken. - Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab Measles is a highly infectious virus that is spread through the air. Symptoms generally include fever, runny nose, rash and cough, but can lead to severe complications including respiratory failure and swelling of the brain. In the most severe cases, measles can lead to death. The SHA said anyone who was exposed to measles and is exhibiting symptoms can call HealthLine 811 or their health-care provider for assessment. The SHA is also asking people not to visit clinics, but said if they are in medical distress they should call emergency departments before visiting and inform medical personnel that they were exposed to measles.
