In a remarkable turn of events, Saskatchewan has reported no new cases of measles for the past 21 days! Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical health officer, heralded this news as a significant victory.

This year, Saskatchewan has faced a total of 60 measles cases, a situation that has prompted officials to encourage immunization. According to Shahab, increased vaccination efforts have played a crucial role in this decline.

"It’s really great news! People seem to be listening and getting vaccinated, which is fantastic," Shahab shared on The Evan Bray Show.

However, the health official stressed that it's vital for anyone born after 1970 to receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, especially with the potential for a resurgence in the fall.

"Measles remains prevalent in various parts of the world and nearby North America. Alberta has reported over 1,190 cases this year, primarily among unvaccinated children aged 5-17, while Ontario is grappling with at least 2,223 cases," Shahab disclosed.

The MMR vaccination program starts at 12 months and is followed by a second dose at 18 months. Each dose significantly boosts protection, with the first shot providing 93% immunity and the second raising that number to an impressive 97-99%.

In addition to the measles update, a new COVID-19 variant, dubbed Nimbus 1.8.1, has emerged. While it hasn’t yet appeared in Saskatchewan testing facilities, Dr. Shahab noted that this variant accounts for 25-45% of cases across Canada and the U.S.

"Although we're not seeing much COVID-19 in Saskatchewan right now, this variant is likely to become the dominant strain over the summer," Shahab warned. Symptoms linked to Nimbus 1.8.1 include a painful throat and hoarseness.

For those hoping to get tested for COVID, free testing kits are no longer available, but they can still be purchased at select pharmacies.

As Saskatchewan approaches summer, health officials remain vigilant in monitoring these developments.