Important Communication about Measles

Since April 2011, a measles outbreak is raging in the province of Québec. Up until now, more than 750 cases have been reported and of those, two thirds have occurred in schools. This is the largest measles outbreak in the Americas since 2002. Almost 70% of reported cases have been in the Mauricie and Centre-du- Québec region.

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease transmitted by breathing the same air as an infected person. It causes high fever, runny nose, red and watery eyes, cough, and a full-body rash.

Measles can cause serious complications such as lung infection (pneumonia) or brain infection (encephalitis). Faced with a large outbreak of measles, France has reported 16 encephalitis and 6 fatalities in 14 600 infections in the first eight months of 2011.

Vaccination campaign

The health network, working together with the education system, will begin a vaccination campaign in all Quebec schools. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against measles.The goal is to vaccinate students and school staff who did not receive the required vaccine doses.

The number of people who are vaccinated is currently insufficient in order to stop measles transmission. Therefore, we cannot rely on others being vaccinated to prevent from getting it. At least one in ten children is susceptible of catching measles and then transmitting it to other students or to people at risk of complications such as infants and pregnant women. There is no specific treatment for measles.

Is your vaccination or your child’s up-to-date?
Because measles was a common disease before then, people born prior to 1970
are protected. They do not need to be vaccinated.

For people born in 1970 or after, check your immunization record.

If you or your child have been vaccinated, you will find one of the following names in your immunization record: M-M-R, M-M-R II, Priorix ou Priorix-Tetra, Trivirix, Attenuvax, Rimevax, Rubeovax, Lirugen, M-R Vax, measles vaccine. If you were born between 1970 and 1980, one vaccination shot is necessary, and for those born after 1980, two (2) shots are required.

School staff as well as students will be vaccinated at school. As parents, if your immunization record is not up-to-date, contact your CSSS. You will receive the vaccine free of charge by setting an appointment.

School staff and students: No news, good news!
Only people who are not properly vaccinated or for whom we do not have a valid proof of vaccination will be contacted. If this is the case for your child, you will receive the consent form or a request for proof of vaccine. The vaccine will be available in school.
Students ages 14 and up are free to give consent for themselves.

If you think you have measles
Stay home and refer to Info-Santé. Measles is contagious 4 days before and 4
days after the appearance of a skin rash.

For more information on measles, the vaccine and vaccination campaign, you can visit the following website http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/en/sujets/prob_sante/measles/measles.php
or contact Info-Santé 811.