March 21, 1997
(Health)

Public Health Officials Advise of Measles Outbreak

Provincial health officials wish to advise the public of an outbreak of red measles in the Terrenceville area of the Burin Peninsula.

The province's director of Disease Control and Epidemiology, Dr. Faith Stratton says a second dose of the measles vaccine will help public health officials to contain the outbreak. "While most children in the province have already been immunized against measles, the vaccine is not always 100 per cent effective," she said. Public health officials are presently administering a second dose of measles vaccine to all children in the area.

"We are keeping a close surveillance on all other areas of the province as well," said Dr. Stratton. "Physicians should be on the look-out for any new cases of red measles and should report them to public health immediately."

Anyone displaying symptoms of red measles should see their family doctor. People with measles generally feel sick with a fever, sore red eyes, a cough lasting several days, and followed by a red blotchy rash which begins on the face before spreading over the rest of the body.

"We wish to advise individuals and health professionals throughout the province of this situation so that necessary precautions can be made to contain the outbreak," said Dr. Stratton.

Contact: Dr. Faith Stratton, (709) 729-3430.