The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is warning the public of a measles exposure risk in the community of Preeceville following a confirmed case of the disease. Residents who visited the Shop Easy Foods, located at 102 Main Street N in Preeceville between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on April 29 are advised to monitor themselves for measles symptoms. “If you were at an identified location during the specified times below, please monitor for measles symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure,” the advisory read. Symptoms related to measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, irritability, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat (known as Koplik spots), and a red blotchy rash – which develops on the face and spreads down the body about three to seven days after seven days after symptoms begin. If you were exposed and are unvaccinated or are exhibiting measles symptoms, the SHA encourages you to call the province’s 811 HealthLine. Measles is highly contagious and can be spread very easily through the air. The virus can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where a person has coughed or sneezed. The virus can spread from four days before a rash appears until four days after a rash develops. “Through this period, a person needs to stay in strict isolation to avoid spreading the infection to others,” the advisory read.
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