After a case of Measles was reported in Yellowknife earlier this month, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has shared that the 21-day exposure and monitoring period has now come to an end.
The initial exposure was reported to have occurred on May 2nd, and since then, no secondary exposures have been discovered. While this situation has been resolved, the GNWT reminds the public that there is still a good chance that measles could return to the North by travelers.
Across the country, a total of 2,515 measles cases have been reported so far this year. Some of these cases have been in neighbouring provinces, such as Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan.
Measles spreads through the air, and even after an infected person has left a room, it can stay in the air for up to two hours. In the NWT, routine immunization for measles occurs at 12 to 18 months old. The OCPHO recommends that children and vulnerable individuals get their vaccinations as soon as possible in order to keep the public safe from the disease. The full effect of the vaccination can take up to 21 days to activate.
More information, as well as vaccine pop-up clinics, can be found on the Health and Social Services Authority website.
