Measles outbreak declared in Sussex area
Public Health says second case, investigation of other possible ones, prompted new alert
Months after a measles outbreak in the Fredericton and Upper River Valley areas was declared over, Public Health officials have declared a new outbreak, this time in the Sussex area.
Public Health issued a news release Monday afternoon, announcing that a second case of measles has been confirmed in the Sussex area, prompting officials to declare an outbreak.
The first case was confirmed July 9.
“Other potential cases are under investigation,” the release said.
Dr. Kimberley Barker, regional medical officer of health, said measles spreads quickly and easily.
“With an additional confirmed case, and others under investigation, it is critical to act quickly to prevent it from spreading further,” she said in explaining the decision to declare the outbreak.
People are urged to check their immunization records or contact health-care providers to verify their immunization status.
The risk of contracting measles is low for people who are protected.
“We continue to remind individuals that if you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate from others in your household and contact Telecare 811 for further guidance,” Barker said in the release.
“If you have symptoms, do not go to the emergency department, clinic, work or school.”
Those born in 1970 or later who haven’t received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine) should contact their health-care providers to be immunized.
The vaccine is free of charge for eligible New Brunswickers, Public Health advised, and eligible adults can receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at pharmacies.
Children aged 6-11 months are now eligible for an early dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine if they are travelling internationally or within Canada to areas with known measles cases, it said.
The virus is transmitted through the air or by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of someone who’s infected, the release said, and the disease can be more severe in adults and infants, leading to complications.
“People should self-monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days following a potential exposure,” it said.
“Early symptoms may include fever, cough, sore and/or red eyes, runny nose or tiny white spots in the mouth. Within three to seven days, a red blotchy rash will appear, first on the face and then spreading to the body, arms and legs.”
New Brunswick saw a measles outbreak in the Fredericton and Woodstock areas in late 2024, and public health declared it over in early January.
Public health will post information and updates - including details of any new potential exposures that are discovered - to its advisories and alerts website.
Additional information on measles and immunization is available on the provincial government website here.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.
I’m not entirely sure why but this stirs a certain anger keep inside me. This disease is entirely preventable, and parents who refuse to vaccinate their children are child abusers imho
So fed up encountering this.