Prime Highlights
- Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued public health advisories after confirmed measles exposures in Edmonton hospitals.
- Those born in and after 1970 and partially vaccinated are being requested to look after themselves and visit a doctor.
Key Facts
- Exposure was June 25 through June 29 on various hospital wards and emergency rooms in Edmonton.
- More than 1,170 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles have been recorded in the province this year as of 2024, prompting mass preventive measures.
Key Background
Alberta Health Services announced multiple measles exposures within Edmonton-area hospitals at the close of June. A single case of measles was confirmed in portions of Grey Nuns Community Hospital between June 25 and June 29, including emergency and medical departments. All those who had visited the departments on the specified dates and times, especially individuals whose birth dates were after 1970 and those who were partially immunized, have been alerted by AHS to watch closely for symptoms.
This is part of Alberta’s continued efforts to stem a sudden increase of measles cases. Alberta now stands as one of Canada’s worst-affected regions with more than 1,170 cases alone this year alone. Measles is an extremely contagious airborne viral infection that spreads extremely fast among populations such as those located in hospitals. Pregnant women, young children, and those with weak immune systems are most likely to develop complications that could be the same as death, hearing loss, meningitis, and pneumonia in advanced stages.
Symptoms are the normal type and occur in 7-21 days following exposure thereafter, and are a temperature over 38.3°C, cough, red or watery eyes, and a red blotched rash which first occurs on the face and spreads downwards. AHS have asked people who develop symptoms to self-isolate immediately and ring health services prior to treatment in person so that they will not infect others.
Immunization is still the optimal method to protect against measles. Alberta public health offers a two-dose vaccine given at one and 18 months of age. Post-exposure immunization is still available for anyone exposed to the virus within 72 hours. Those who are unwell and not healthy enough to receive vaccination, such as infants and immunocompromised persons, can be given immunoglobulin within six days of exposure. Individuals who are unsure whether they are supposed to get the vaccine are encouraged to check their records and move with haste.
