Health officials say a third suspected case of measles in the Saint John area has come back negative.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, confirmed the test result on Friday.
Russell also cleared up confusion about reports of a possible fourth case after the New Brunswick Community College revealed a suspected case on Thursday involving a student at their Saint John campus.
“The case that they were talking about was the same case that we were talking about,” said Russell. “That person does not have measles.”
Russell said the two people confirmed to have the disease remain isolated at home. Health officials have not released any information about them, citing privacy, but have said the cases are related.
The most recent case involved someone from Kennebecasis Valley High School (KVHS). The individual was at the Saint John Regional Hospital’s emergency department at the same time as the first patient in April.
Health officials have said the person from KVHS also had lunch at the Shadow Lawn Inn in Rothesay on May 6 and attended the John Cleese show at Harbour Station on May 7.
If you think you have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms of measles you should NOT go directly to the ER. Stay home and contact your health care provider or 811 prior to presenting to a clinic, physician’s office or emergency room. https://t.co/QHpeyngE0G pic.twitter.com/AnxUYbTZ7i
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) May 16, 2019
Russell said they have set up immunization clinics for those who sat in sat in sections 26 or 27 during the Cleese show and were born between 1970 and 1995. Adults born before 1970 are considered immune but those born between 1970 and 1995 may not have received a second dose of the vaccine.
The clinics will be held at Exhibition Park on McAllister Drive in Saint John from noon to 8 p.m. on May 22 and from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 23.
Russell said she knows New Brunswickers are worried about the outbreak and her department understands.
“Our focus at this time is on the Saint John region,” she said. “For residents outside this region, information for immunization clinics will be announced at a later date once we have addressed the immediate outbreak in Saint John.”
Russell said New Brunswick has enough vaccines to cover its regular immunization programs and this particular outbreak.
Public Health has set up a dedicated phone line to help people check if their immunizations are up to date. The number is (506) 643-6251.
Follow
