Southeastern Manitoba is currently free of measles and Southern Health is hoping it will stay that way.

Dr. Michael Routledge, the Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health says the disease has begun popping up in pockets throughout North America but so far no cases of measles have been reported locally.

Dr. Michael Routledge“Though that can always change,” he warns.

According to Routledge, Manitoba has not had a bad measles outbreak for a number of decades, but he says there are still a number of high-risk areas of people who have not been immunized. “There are definitely places where we need to keep talking to the public about the importance of immunization,” he stresses.

Routledge indicates that there are still many people locally who have reservations when it comes to being vaccinated, and notes there is really nothing to fear.

“Vaccines are very effective and they are very safe and I would certainly encourage everyone to consider them.”

At the moment, the largest measles threat in the region comes from people who are traveling to areas affected by the disease and then bringing it back with them upon their return. Routledge reiterates that the best defense against this problem is, again, vaccination.

“The most effective mechanism we have of preventing people from contracting measles is making sure everyone is up to date on their childhood immunizations.”