Measles continues to spread in Quebec. The Ministry of Health and Social Services reported, as of Tuesday, 28 cases, including 15 in Montreal and 5 in Laval. The regions of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, Montérégie, Lanaudière and Laurentides have fewer than 5. Despite the rise in infections, the Regional Public Health Directorate (DRSP) of Montreal is showing itself optimistic.
“It’s difficult to predict what will happen. But I am hopeful that we will be able to contain this outbreak which is currently taking place in Montreal in the coming days, in the coming weeks,” says the Dr Paul Le Guerrier, medical manager of immunization and preventive diseases through vaccination at the DRSP of Montreal.
The fight against measles is not over, however, warns the doctor. Additional outbreaks could occur as the virus is circulating in the United States, Asia, Europe and Africa. Travelers who are not adequately vaccinated could return infected from a trip abroad. Children may have been there during the school break.
At the Montreal DRSP, around thirty employees are mobilized to investigate the cases, determine the places frequented by them and draw up a list of their contacts. A race against time similar to that experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles being extremely contagious.
“We join the contacts in order of priority,” specifies the Dr The warrior. As the disease mainly affects young children and pregnant women, we prioritize reaching children under 1 year old, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people. » Next come children aged 1 to 4 and the rest of the population.
The Montreal DRSP offers people who are not immunized against measles and in contact with a case to be vaccinated quickly so as not to contract the disease. “As the incubation period is on average 7 to 14 days, if we succeed in vaccinating people very soon after they have been exposed, there is approximately an 80, 83 or 85% chance that we prevent the development of measles, according to the literature [scientifique] », indicates the Dr The warrior.
The administration of immunoglobulins containing antibodies against measles also helps protect those who cannot receive vaccines, such as pregnant women, he adds.
Vaccination in Montreal schools
Since Monday, Montreal CIUSSS have also been carrying out a vaccination campaign against measles in schools. The CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal has so far vaccinated around a hundred students and four adults. Its vaccination operation, which targets 21 schools, will end on April 4.
The CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal also began vaccination on Monday in schools in its territory. It indicates that it favors schools which have “vaccination coverage of less than 75% and which have 100 or more students to be vaccinated”.
The Laval DRSP, for its part, is not planning a vaccination campaign against measles in schools. At least for the moment. “We have fairly high coverage,” says the regional director of public health, Dr.r Jean-Pierre Trépanier. At primary and secondary levels, average coverage is around 88%. Of course, this is below the 95% that we are aiming for to achieve collective immunity, but there are no big differences between schools. The vast majority are between 85% and 95%. »
The DRSP of Laval is instead banking on a vaccination recovery campaign by telephone. She contacts the families of unvaccinated children to offer them vaccination against measles. A strategy used two years ago and which worked well, according to the Dr Trepanier. “We had increased our vaccination coverage by 3% at the time,” he explains.
Remember that measles is caught by breathing the same air as an infected person, even at a distance of more than 2 meters (6 feet). The virus can survive for a few hours suspended in the air and disperse. If an unprotected person is in contact with a sick person, the risk of catching measles is 9 out of 10, according to the Montreal DRSP.
This disease manifests itself by fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis as well as spots or redness on the skin. It can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, loss of vision or hearing, brain infection and even death.
There is no treatment for measles. Young children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are especially prone to developing serious symptoms. The best way to protect yourself against the disease is to get vaccinated, health authorities say.