Measles Updates for Staff

Manitoba is seeing exposures and cases of Measles inclusive of Prairie Mountain Health. Case numbers have
been rising in other provinces, in Manitoba, as well as in other countries. Measles is a highly contagious viral
infection that can result in serious health outcomes. It can spread easily through the air but also through
contact with nose or throat secretions. An infected person is contagious before a rash is present as well as
after it is present. Exposures to any health care workers/providers who are not immune or aware of their
vaccination status may result in work exclusion for a period of 21 days.

Prevention, Preparedness and Pathways to follow are key.

Are you Immune?

Email Occupational Health to check your immunity

Please complete:

PMH1820 Confidential Employee Demographic and Consent Form

and submit to [email protected] (include “Measles Immunity Check” in subject line).

What is PMH doing to prepare?

  • An interdisciplinary committee is meeting regularly to ensure communication, pathways, policies and
    documents are available. Education and table top exercises are being prepared.

What can I do as a health care worker/provider?

  • Know your vaccination status and report it:
    Contact PMH Occupational Health (204) 578-2100 or [email protected]
  • Ensure your Fit testing is up to date.
    • All healthcare workers, regardless of immunity to measles, are to wear a fit tested and seal-checked N95 respirator when providing care to someone with suspect or confirmed measles.
    • To schedule a fit test contact:
    • Find more information on fit testing in PMH on the staff intranet
      • Click on Programs & Services > Human Resources > Workplace safety and Health > Fit Testing
      • or click here
  • Make yourself familiar with PMH policies, precautions, PPE, cleaning, reporting, and interventions.
  • Take appropriate and timely actions on any suspect measles cases.

Resources available for staff

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am immune to Measles?

Healthcare workers are considered to be immune to measles if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • 2 documented doses of a measles vaccine on or after 1st birthday; OR
  • Documentation of laboratory confirmed measles immunity; OR
  • History of laboratory confirmed measles disease

I had measles as a child – how do I prove my immunity?

Please contact Occupational Health and you may be sent a lab test to validate immunity.

I do not provide front line care – do I still need to worry about measles?

Yes, measles has been reported to survive in the air for up to 2 hours. Even if you do not have direct patient care, if you walk through a shared air space vacated by an infectious measles patient within the prior 2 hours, you may be exposed.

What happens if I do not have immunity to measles and there are measles cases at my site?

If you are exposed to measles, and:

  • you are determined to be immune, you can continue to work.
  • your immunity is unknown, you will be assessed based on vaccination history and may be sent for a lab test to validate immunity. You will be restricted from work, starting from the 5th day after the first exposure until immunity is validated.
  • if you are not immune and you were exposed to a measles case while not wearing appropriate PPE, then you will be restricted from work, starting from the 5th day after the first exposure until the 21st day after the last exposure. Depending on the time since the exposure, you may be offered postexposure prophylaxis which may modify or prevent measles disease but will not affect work restrictions.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Contact Occupational Health if you have more questions! [email protected]

More information is coming

  • Please watch this page for more information, documents and FAQs to come. Make yourself prepared and if you have questions reach out to your Supervisor/Manager.
Government of Manitoba Measles information and updates