Manitoba Health is urging attendees of Ag Days and visitors to Brandon, Manitoba, to monitor for measles symptoms following a suspected exposure during the event. The agency advises those who attended the Keystone Centre between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on January 20, 21, and 22 to monitor themselves until Friday, January 24. Additionally, visitors to the Agriculture in the Classroom event at the Manitoba Dome Building from January 20 to 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., are asked to monitor until later this week. Exposure notices have also been issued for those who visited Winkler, Manitoba, including the Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House on February 1 and the Boundary Trails Health Centre public health office and emergency department on February 2 and 3, respectively. Manitoba Health recommends that individuals who believe they may have been exposed ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date. Those who were born in 1970 or later and have not received a measles vaccination or had an infection are advised to reduce exposure to others, especially those with weakened immune systems, from the fifth day of exposure to the 21st day after their latest exposure. Initial symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability, red eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth or throat. The characteristic red blotchy rash typically appears several days after the initial symptoms and progresses down the body. Symptoms usually present within seven to 21 days after exposure to the virus. If symptoms develop, individuals are asked to isolate at home and contact their healthcare provider, informing them of the potential exposure. The disease spreads through airborne droplets formed by coughing or sneezing.
