Measles outbreak in Portneuf, Que., grows to 7 cases

Five more cases of measles have been detected in recent days in Portneuf, Que., about 50 kilometres west of Quebec City, bringing the total number of cases in the region to seven.

The local health authority says the latest reports involve people who were already being monitored as contacts by public health officials and had been in quarantine since the start of the outbreak on June 28, when two cases were reported.

The first case was linked to travel abroad, and the second stemmed from contact with the first.

Possible exposure sites include Caisse Desjardins in Pont-Rouge, the Jean Coutu pharmacies in Pont-Rouge and Donnacona, and the Maxi grocery store in Donnacona on June 22 and 26.

For the full list of exposure locations, along with dates and times of exposure, see the Quebec government website here.

The recent infections bring the total number of cases reported in the province to 27.

Measles is extremely contagious. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose and a characteristic red rash spreading across the body and lasting one to two weeks. It can lead to serious complications including pneumonia and brain inflammation.

People at risk include babies that are under 12 months old, people with weakened immune systems and those who have not been sufficiently vaccinated against measles.