"Over the past year, the agency has recorded cases in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. Overall, 5,000 positive cases of the illness and the deaths of two premature babies have been reported. Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status once transmission of the measles strain associated with the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months, the agency said."
"It is a highly infectious virus which can be life-threatening if not caught early. The illness, which is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, begins with cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, high temperature and sore, red eyes. A few days after infection, small white spots can appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips."
Canada experienced a large, multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak beginning in October, with cases recorded across ten provinces and territories. Over 5,000 positive cases and two deaths of premature babies have been reported. Measles spreads through the air when infected people cough or sneeze and begins with cold-like symptoms, followed by Koplik spots and a spreading rash; severe complications include pneumonia and death, especially in infants and immunocompromised people. Two MMR vaccine doses at one and three years provide prevention, with two doses about 97% effective. Canada can regain elimination status after 12 months without transmission of the outbreak strain.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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