Saskatchewan Health Authority says measles can be prevented by the safe, effective and free measles vaccine and with two doses, the vaccination is almost 100 per-cent effective. (Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press files)

By Susan McNeil

Measles exposure

Prince Albert area now listed as high risk for measles exposure

Jun 24, 2025 | 11:22 AM

Prince Albert and area is now one of three locations in the province listed as having high risk of measles exposures.

The listed communities are nearby Duck Lake and Rosthern, where six cases of the highly contagious illness have been reported since June 11.

Added onto the previous seven cases since June 4, there were 13 cases reported in the first two weeks of the month.

Kindersley and certain neighbourhoods in Saskatoon are the other hot spots in Saskatchewan.

Between March 14 and June 18, there have been 60 cases of measles in the province with six people in hospital and one person in the ICU.

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Of the 60 cases, 52 are in unvaccinated people, three have had one dose of vaccine and four people have had two doses of the MMR vaccine.

One case was unclear.

Broken down by age, three are children under the age of one, 16 are between one and four, 22 are between five and 17 and 17 range in age from 18 to 54. Two cases were in people born before 1970.

Including Prince Albert, Kindersley and Moose Jaw have the record for the highest cases at 13 each.

The SHA recommends parents make sure their children receive their regular vaccines, usually done at 12 months and 18 months.

If there are measles cases in a school or daycare, children who are not immunized need to stay home until they are immunized or until 21 days have passed since the last case of measles.

Babies, including those between six and 11 months who may have been exposed to measles in a higher risk location or unimmunized people may be able to get early vaccination.

Infants between six to 11 months are the most at risk for severe disease, which is why they may be able to get vaccination early if the exposure risk is high.

Anyone that has measles must not go to school, daycare or out in public until four days after the rash starts.

While there is no specific treatment for measles, people who are infected are advised to treat their fever with acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) but should avoid using acetylsalicyclic acid (Aspirin) if they are under 20 because of the risk of Reye’s Syndrome, which can be triggered by using it during a viral infection.

In 2024, Saskatchewan had one case of measles and none between 2020 and 2023.

The last big outbreak was in 2014 when there were 16 reported cases.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social