Latest news with #SaskatchewanHealthAuthority
CBC
9 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Measles cases extend beyond Alberta, Ontario, hotspot map shows
The spread of measles both within provinces and between one another is keeping doctors and health officials across much of Canada on their toes. The pace of the outbreak is accelerating in Alberta and more than 3,400 people have been confirmed with measles there and in Ontario so far this year. Measles hangs in the air and is one of the most contagious known viruses, infectious diseases specialists say. Joseph Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, says the more widespread the measles virus is in the province, the more opportunities there are for an individual who may not yet know they're infected to interact with others at social events and transmit it to others. Measles can cause fever, cough and redness of the eyes, followed by white spots next to the molars and a rash that usually starts around the hairline and moves down the body. "It's not just one geographically restricted cluster in the province," said Blondeau, who is also the provincial lead for clinical microbiology at the Saskatchewan Health Authority. While the outbreaks are concentrated in Alberta and Ontario, maps of hotspots across Canada reflect how precarious the situation is in several other provinces, meaning some doctors are recommending vaccines for travel within the country. "What worries me all the time is that we need to be careful about new individuals that are at a higher risk for more severe infection because those are the ones that could end up with complications, whether it's pneumonia or infection of the brain." Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine offer 97 per cent protection, said Dr. Ayisha Kurji, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Saskatchewan. Measles is considered eliminated in Canada, but that status could be lost given the extent of spread, largely among those who are unvaccinated. "It's a vaccine that we know a lot about." Immunization clinics improve access Manitoba started experiencing a significant increase in measles in the spring and there doesn't seem to be a decline, said Dr. Davinder Singh, medical officer of health for the province's Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. Notably, Singh said, the southwest area is most impacted, which corresponds with it having the lowest immunization uptake for measles-containing vaccines, he said. There are also pockets of low immunization across Manitoba. Medical experts are conducting home visits for those who can't travel, offering pop-up clinics when a group of families needs immunization and extending hours into the evening, depending on local needs, Singh said. Vaccination, immunity and records: Your questions on measles, answered At-risk Albertans mindful of summer plans as measles cases climb Infants aged six months to under 12 months in some provinces where measles is circulating are eligible for what's called a dose zero to protect them sooner than when children routinely receive two doses. Manitoba residents who are being evacuated due to wildfires are also offered vaccines, Singh said. Cases likely underreported Southwestern Ontario has faced hundreds of measles cases since April. Now there's been a consistent downward trend over the past few weeks, said Dr. Rod Lim, director of pediatric emergency medicine at the Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. "We remain alert and able to provide care to those that need it," Lim said in an email. For every person who has measles, Singh said, there are likely several others who had it and haven't been tested. "Unconfirmed cases kind of hang out there," said Dr. Gerald Evans, a medicine professor at Queen's University and an infectious diseases specialist who practises at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Evans said he thinks the issue of underreporting is a bigger problem with the American data, where the ratio of deaths and hospitalizations to cases appears out of sync with the reported number of cases. The total stands at 1,309 as of July 15, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. There have been three confirmed deaths from measles in the U.S. in 2025. In June, Ontario reported the death of an infant who was born prematurely and infected with the highly contagious virus while in the womb. The child also had other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus, the province's chief medical officer of health said. In Atlantic Canada, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador have no active measles cases, with one in Nova Scotia and 15 in New Brunswick so far this year. On the Pacific Coast, B.C. has more than 120 cases, while Yukon has not seen any measles in 2025. The Northwest Territories had a single measles case in the spring. There have been no cases in Nunavut, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Measles exposure risks reported in Regina
The Saskatchewan Health Authority logo can be seen in this CTV News file photo. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is advising the public of measles exposure risks in Regina due to a confirmed case. If anyone was at Dad's Organic Market (425 Victoria Avenue East) on July 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., or Home Depot (1867 Victoria Avenue East) on July 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the SHA said to monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure. According to the SHA, measles symptoms include fever, coughing, fatigue, small white spots inside the mouth and throat, and a red blotchy rash that develops on the face and spreads down the body. Those who were exposed and are unvaccinated, or are unsure of their vaccination status, or develop measles symptoms, are urged to call HealthLine 811, the SHA said. The SHA is reminding people that measles is highly contagious and can spread easily to others through the air.
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
STARS suspends landings at Humboldt Hospital helipad
HUMBOLDT — STARS will no longer be landing at Humboldt Hospital. In a statement from STARS, 'On June 16, 2025, STARS notified the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that, effective June 30, 2025, it would no longer land at the temporary helipad at Humboldt Hospital.' Officials with the City of Humboldt and the owner and operator of Humboldt Ambulance Services were also notified. Currently, when STARS transports a patient from Humboldt Hospital, the helicopter lands at the Humboldt Airport and the patient is transferred by ground ambulance. STARS has typically landed at the hospital site 10 to 12 times per year, said Doug Dahl, spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Dahl told , 'The SHA has held discussions with STARS, the City of Humboldt, Humboldt Hospital clinical leadership and the Humboldt and District Health Foundation about constructing a permanent helipad that meets Transport Canada requirements. These include a concrete pad, appropriate markings, fencing and a windsock. The proposed location is near the current temporary site.' 'Due to ongoing construction north of Humboldt Hospital, the temporary landing zone that has supported STARS operations in the community no longer meets the requirements under the Canadian Aviation Regulations,' said Blake Robert, spokesperson for STARS. 'As this location is not a certified heliport, we are unable to continue using it for patient transport.' 'While this change limits our ability to land directly at the hospital, STARS remains committed to serving the people of Humboldt and the surrounding area. We will continue to respond to critical care needs by flying into the Humboldt Airport for inter-facility transfers as needed,' Robert said. Robert added that STARS continues to work with health and community partners to explore long-term solutions that ensure rapid access to emergency medical transport for the region. STARS helicopters can be airborne within approximately 10 minutes of a call being accepted by dispatch. 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan,' Robert said. Robert added: 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Regina Urgent Care Centre forced to close early for second time in a month
WATCH: Regina's Urgent Care Centre is on regular hours again after being forced to close early on Sunday due to staff shortages. Wayne Mantyka reports. Regina's Urgent Care Centre is back to operating on regular hours again after being forced to close early on Sunday due to a physician shortage – which has spurred questions from the NDP Opposition. Sunday, July 6 marks the second time in less than a month that the facility was forced to close its doors early due to staffing issues. The facility normally accepts patients until 9:30 p.m. but was forced to close at 4 p.m. Sunday. The centre was supposed to be operating 24/7 last fall. As the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) COO Derek Miller told reporters Monday, recruiting doctors has been an ongoing challenge for the agency. 'We have been careful to understand the impact of recruiting physicians from community – away from family practices for recruitment of family physicians and also the emergency room physicians,' Miller explained. 'We need to be able to sustain emergency room services at the Pasqua Hospital and the [Regina General Hospital].' Originally, Regina's Urgent Care Centre was supposed to be open around the clock. Now the SHA says that between the centre and emergency rooms, patient demand is being met. 'We know that our peak demand throughout the day for urgent type services be it that are coming through the emergency rooms or the UCC we're covering that now,' Miller added. The province plans to open additional urgent care centres in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and North Battleford. The NDP Opposition questions how the government plans to staff more facilities given the situation in Regina. 'They can't even properly staff the one facility that they have open,' NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson said. 'You know, this is all smoke and mirrors.' The SHA says it will continue to assess how the Urgent Care Centre and emergency rooms are working together in meeting patient needs. The assessment will guide a future decision on Urgent Care Centre hours. In the meantime, physician recruitment continues.
CTV News
29-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Saskatoon City Hospital emergency department expands hours
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says the Saskatoon City Hospital emergency department will increase its hours of operation starting Sunday. In a statement sent Saturday afternoon, the SHA said starting June 29, the emergency department will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 'The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has made progress in stabilizing its physician staffing and is taking a phased approach in resuming SCH ED's full operational hours,' SHA said in the statement. This follows a temporary reduction in hours announced earlier this spring, during which the emergency department operated from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to physician availability constraints. Since February, the Saskatoon City Hospital emergency department has operated with reduced hours, with several extensions due to ongoing physician availability challenges. The SHA says this phased approach aims to provide better support across Saskatoon's emergency departments during the summer months, while work continues on the planned addition of 109 acute care beds at Saskatoon City Hospital. The SHA says it remains committed to a full resumption of hours at Saskatoon City Hospital in the coming months.
