Warning issued after possible measles exposure at Halifax Infirmary

The Nova Scotia Health Authority's publichealth divisionis warning anyonewho visited Halifax Infirmary's emergency department on April 17 that they may have been exposed to measles.

An individual from Saint Johnwho recently travelled to Europe was confirmed to have a case of measles Friday.

On Saturday, officials in Nova Scotia confirmed that same person was travelling through Halifax. On April 17, they visited the emergency department on Robie Street for symptoms unrelated to measles.

Theperson from Saint John was communicable at the time of their visit to theQEII Health Sciences Centre, but is now isolated at home in New Brunswick.

Patients and visitorsto the Halifax Infirmary emergency department on April 17 from 12 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. may have been exposed and may develop symptoms between now and May 8.

Symptoms of measles include a red, blotchy rash on the face or body, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, sleepiness, irritability and small white spots in the mouth and throat.

Officials are asking anyone with symptoms to contact their family doctor, visit a walk-in clinicor call 811 immediately. People should also call ahead before visiting health-care providers in person, as they will need to take precautions before seeing a patient that may have measles.

The news release says while most people fully recover within two to three weeks, measles can have serious complications, which are more likely in infants, pregnant woman and people with weakened immune systems.

People in Nova Scotia born after 1970 are eligible to receive two free doses of the measles vaccine through the province's immunization program.

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