April 17, 2023 | Global News
A recent measles scare is prompting a reminder from health officials in Nova Scotia to ensure you and your loved ones are vaccinated against the illness.
Measles is considered one of the world’s most contagious diseases. It can spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.
The infection prevention and control medical director at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax says if you’re exposed and have not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and you don’t have immunity, you have a 90 per cent chance of infection.
“It’s extremely contagious,” says Dr. Jeanette Comeau. “It can linger in the air for a bit of time, so one case really can turn into many cases quite quickly if we don’t have a high vaccine uptake.”