New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health says two cases of measles in the Saint John area are related to one another.
The most recent case at Kennebecasis Valley High School in Quispamsis was confirmed by health officials on Monday.
Less than three weeks ago, a case of measles was confirmed in an individual who had recently travelled abroad.
Dr. Jennifer Russell said Tuesday the latest individual was at the Saint John Regional Hospital’s emergency department at the same time as the first patient in April.
“We’re working with the school right now to identify who needs to get updated in their vaccines — who needs a dose or a second dose,” said Russell, adding they plan to hold an immunization clinic at the school.
Russell would not say if the individual was a student or staff member and was unsure if they were vaccinated.
Second confirmed case of measles in Saint Johnhttps://t.co/H3Ilyj06Uo
— N.B. Dept. of Health (@NBHealth) May 13, 2019
In addition to the school, Russell said people may have come into contact with the affected person at two other locations:
- The Shadow Lawn Inn in Rothesay during lunch on May 6.
- The John Cleese Show at Harbour Station on May 7. People sitting in section 26, rows 14 to 20 and section 27, rows 14 to 24 are most at risk, Russell said.
Anyone who was at those locations at those times should contact their health-care provider if they are unsure about their immunization status.
Adults born before 1970 are considered immune but Russell said not everyone born between 1970 and 1995 received two doses of the vaccine.
“As of 1970, people were offered one dose,” she said. “Since then, technology and research has shown that you need two doses, and so that cohort of people weren’t necessarily caught up to have that second dose.”
The last time New Brunswick had a confirmed case of the measles was in 2017.
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