Public health issues warning after measles case in Laval

Provincial health authorities say someone carrying the measles virus may have exposed others to it in Laval last Thursday.

The infected person visited a Walmart in Sainte-Dorothe sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. June 13.

They then went to the Carrefour Laval shopping centre during the afternoon between 2:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Authorities say the following people should be evaluated for a prevention shot: people with a weakened immune system, babies younger than 12 months and pregnant women who are not adequately vaccinated against measles.

Anyone who is a part of these groups is being advised to call Info-Sant at 811. The preventative treatments must be administered by June 20 to be effective, the Quebec's Health Ministry said in a news release.

The ministry added that anyone who is not part of the mentioned groups doesn't need special intervention.

People who visited those locations should watch for symptoms up until early July it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show.

Symptoms include: fever, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, red and watery eyes and tiny white spots in the mouth.

A person can be contagious four days before a rash appears and up to four days after.

Measles is highly contagious and is most often spread when people first get sick or before they know they have measles.