To accommodate increased demand for measles vaccinations, routine booked appointments at Yellowknife Public Health may be rescheduled and any people affected will be contacted with details.
The CPHO issued a Public Health Advisory last week. (Illustration by James O’Connor/CKLB.)
Yellowknife Public Health officials believe the surge was prompted by a recent Measles Alert issued last week by the NWT’s Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).
That CPHO stated in part, “As this is a time of increased travel out of the territory, and as there is increased risk of measles internationally as well as in other parts of Canada, individuals who are travelling out of territory should review their vaccine records and receive a dose, as needed, before travelling.”
Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease and spreads quickly to non-immune individuals.
Those who are not immune to measles, and who are returning from southern locations after March break, should be cautious to monitor for symptoms.
Anyone with symptoms that might be measles should contact their health care provider as soon as possible .
Some individuals have complications with measles disease, such as ear infections, pneumonia, infections of the brain, and in severe cases measles infection can lead to death.
