The Montreal Public Health Organization has identified measles. Here's what parents should keep in mind

Measles is rare in Montreal and health officials are trying to trace the contact of the infected person, isolate the virus and eliminate any possibility of an outbreak.

Measles is a highly contagious virus with a long incubation period and can be fatal.

Quebec has a fairly high vaccination rate against the virus, but there are still things parents of young children, especially infants, should keep in mind to limit exposure.

How dangerous is the virus?

Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease spread through the air through the nose and throat droplets of infected people.

Marie-Astride Lefebvre, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children's Hospital, said: “It's very easy to transmit it to several people who are in the same area as the individual.”

“You don't need to be close to a person to get it.”

Measles remains one of the most common causes of death in children worldwide.

“Measles has been eliminated from Canada, but from time to time there are travelers to many countries around the world where measles is endemic,” said Dr. Paul Le Guerrier of Montreal Public Health's immunization division. and vaccine-preventable diseases.

It can take a week or two for an infected person to start showing symptoms. These symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and general discomfort. Then a rash appears on the face and body.

According to Quebec Public Health, a person with the virus can be contagious for four days before developing a rash and up to four days afterward.

Complications include ear infections, pneumonia, convulsions and, in some cases, death.

What can I do to protect myself and my children?

Most importantly, check your children's vaccination record to make sure they have received two doses of MMR vaccines: one at the 12-month mark and one at 18 months. Other provinces and countries may have different vaccination schedules. MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella.

If you are in doubt or the vaccination booklet seems unclear, it is best to call your doctor or visit the CLSC for verification. The province maintains a vaccination record.

Public health officials encourage anyone who misses a shot or two to get vaccinated.

“It's very defensive, highly effective,” Le Guerrier said.

It also encourages people to check their vaccination records before traveling outside of Canada.

“Make sure you have the right doses for children, even adults,” he said. “And you will be safe. You don't bring beets into Canada.'

Most Quebecers are protected against measles. But little babies under the age of one who have not yet been vaccinated are more vulnerable.

What should I do if I come into contact with the virus?

Parents of babies who haven't had a chance to get the vaccine should monitor for symptoms if they think they may have been infected.

Even if parents are concerned that they've been exposed and their children develop a rash, if they use both concentrates, they're unlikely to get measles, Lefebvre said. If they are in doubt, they should see a doctor.

“Contact the clinic in advance, because the child needs to be isolated in some way,” he said.

“The emergency room is probably the best place because there are special rooms where we put children, and then we don't spread the virus to others.”

What is the probability of disease?

It is possible.

That said, vaccination rates in Quebec are fairly high, but not high enough to completely eliminate the possibility of an outbreak, especially given how widespread the virus is.

Health officials in Montreal say the vaccination rate among school-aged children and teenagers is between 82 and 88 percent. Ideally, this number is around 95 percent.

Le Guerrier said Montreal Public Health has several initiatives to increase vaccination rates, including making sure parents of newborns are aware of the vaccination schedule and talking to parents of unvaccinated school children.

When a measles case is reported, it allows local health authorities to get more people vaccinated.

“When there is a situation, the public health sector is involved and conducts an outbreak investigation to identify people who are not properly vaccinated and ensure vaccination in the following days,” said Le Guerrier.