An average of one infant per week in Manitoba’s Southern Health region is receiving preventive treatment following potential exposure to measles, indicating the widespread transmission of the disease and the vulnerability of unvaccinated babies. Dr. Davinder Singh, a medical officer of health in Southern Health, stated that infants not yet eligible for vaccination are being administered immune globulin within six days of exposure to the highly contagious virus.
Singh highlighted that families are frequently advised to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis when in contact with measles. The urgency for this treatment arises from the heightened risks unvaccinated infants face, such as severe complications like hospitalization and pneumonia.
While efforts to prevent exposure are made, circumstances may render it unavoidable, as infants under six months cannot receive the measles vaccine. Southern Health reported an unusual spike earlier this year, with four babies receiving preventive treatment in a single week. The use of immune globulin, sourced from human blood, rapidly neutralizes the virus, reducing the likelihood of infection.
In response to the measles outbreak, Manitoba has expanded vaccination eligibility in certain regions to include infants as young as six months in high-risk areas like Southern Health. To date, 30 infants under one year have contracted measles in the ongoing outbreak, with Manitoba reporting a total of 170 confirmed cases and 28 probable cases in February alone. Manitoba stands out as the Canadian hotspot for measles cases.
Given the vulnerability of infants, health regions across Manitoba are vigilant in screening for measles symptoms in emergency departments. Shared Health, responsible for coordinating healthcare delivery, emphasized the importance of infection control measures to mitigate transmission risks.
In Winnipeg’s Women’s Hospital, restrictions on visitors to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have been implemented to safeguard premature or sick newborns. Only two visitors per patient, including one designated caregiver, are permitted, subject to health and immunization checks. Health Sciences Centre is actively screening visitors for measles symptoms, especially in high-risk units.
Dr. Philippe Lagacé-Wiens of St. Boniface Hospital underscored the necessity of robust screening protocols, particularly in high-contact areas like emergency triage. Lagacé-Wiens stressed that while measles vaccines are highly effective, continued vigilance is vital, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems.
In conclusion, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to breaking the chain of measles transmission and protecting vulnerable populations from the disease’s impact. Lagacé-Wiens emphasized the importance of vaccination as the primary defense against measles, despite the vaccine not offering 100% protection, particularly for individuals with weakened immune responses.
