Vet’s Taxi Users May Have Been Exposed To Measles

People who used Vet’s Taxi in Saint John during certain times last week may have been exposed to measles.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, revealed the details during a news conference Friday.

Russell said the potential exposure is related to a confirmed case previously announced on Monday.

“Because measles is transmitted by respiratory droplets, those droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours after the person was in that vicinity,” said Russell.

Russell said anyone who took a cab during the following times should keep an eye out for measles symptoms:

• May 22, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• May 24, 9:40 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• May 25, 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. & 6:40 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.
• May 26, 12:50 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.

“We’re outside the 72-hour window when a dose of the vaccine would be effective to protect those people who were exposed during those times,” said Russell.

Health Canada says symptoms of measles usually begin seven to 18 days after infection.

Early symptoms may include fever, cough, sore and/or red eyes, runny nose or tiny white spots in the mouth. Within three to seven days, a red blotchy rash will appear, first on the face and then spreading to the body, arms and legs.

Russell said anyone who develops these symptoms should stay at home and call Tele-Care 811 to find out what to do next.

“Please do not go to an emergency department, please do not go to an after-hours clinic, please do not go to a family doctor’s office,” Russell said. “If you are to go to one of those faciliites, the protective measures that need to be put in place to protect anybody else from contracting measles need to happen.”

The number of confirmed cases of measles in the Saint John area remains at 11.