
Alberta has become the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to cross more than 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025
Live Events
Situation in Ontario
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Health officials confirmed 24 new infections within a single day, bringing the total to 1,020 by Friday noon(June 20). Of those, 25 cases remain active. Though no deaths have been reported in Alberta , experts warn the situation is becoming more serious, particularly for vulnerable populations.Alberta's Primary and Preventive Health Services Ministry confirmed that at least one baby has been born with congenital measles. While exact numbers were not shared, officials stated there were 'fewer than five' such cases, all involving unvaccinated mothers. Additionally, 20 pregnant individuals have contracted measles , with fewer than five requiring hospitalization.Measles is highly contagious but largely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella ( MMR ) vaccine offer nearly complete protection. Experts say 95 percent vaccine coverage is necessary to achieve herd immunity, a benchmark many areas in Alberta still fall short of.Dr. James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says the 1,000-case milestone is a warning sign: 'If the measures were working, we'd see the numbers going down and we wouldn't see spread to new areas. And both of those are happening.'Talbot expects a summer spike in infections as travel increases, warning that cities like Edmonton, which had avoided major outbreaks, could soon see a rise. Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported the first new Edmonton cases on Friday since early May, just a day after warning of exposures in the city, including at the Stollery Children's Hospital on June 18 and 19.Anyone born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented MMR doses may be at risk.Alberta has administered more than 67,000 measles vaccine doses, a 55 percent increase over the same period last year. In the South Zone, uptake rose 130 percent. Still, health experts worry that if immunization rates don't improve, more severe outcomes such as brain damage, miscarriage, and death could follow.According to national data, between one and three in every 1,000 measles patients die. Another one in 1,000 may develop encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain inflammation.Ontario, the first province to pass 1,000 cases in April, now reports nearly 2,180 cases, including six congenital infections and one infant death. Combined, Ontario and Alberta now account for more than 90 percent of all measles cases in Canada this year.'If we don't act faster,' Dr. Talbot warns, 'Canada could lose its measles elimination status by October, a public health achievement held since 1998.'For now, AHS urges anyone experiencing symptoms, fever over 38.3°C, cough, red eyes, or a rash, to call the measles hotline (1-844-944-3434) before visiting clinics or hospitals.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
10 early Parkinson's signs you might be missing — revealed after Ozzy Osbourne's tragic death
What are the most common early signs of Parkinson's? Live Events Here are 10 early Parkinson's warning signs you shouldn't ignore: What makes early detection so important for this disease? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The world mourns the death of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died at the age of 76 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Ozzy, also known as the Prince of Darkness, revealed the condition's hidden symptoms through his public journey. His story now sheds light on warning signs that many people continue to Osbourne's death has left a void in the music industry, as well as renewed focus on Parkinson's disease, which he bravely battled for years. Diagnosed after a fall at his Los Angeles home, the rock icon lived with a progressive neurological condition that gradually robbed him of his mobility, independence, and, eventually, his ability to tributes pour in, his journey is bringing attention to the lesser-known early symptoms of Parkinson's disease, many of which go unnoticed until it's too late, as per a report by The US disease is frequently associated with tremors and stiffness, but its initial symptoms can be much more the world mourns the passing of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, his battle with Parkinson's disease shines a spotlight on the early symptoms that are often overlooked. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder, and catching it early can make a significant difference in managing the condition.A diminished or total loss of smell, especially of familiar foods or scents, can occur years before other symptoms appear. It's one of the most common early signs, yet often dismissed or misattributed to allergies or restless leg syndrome, frequent nighttime awakenings, and even sleep apnea are common in early Parkinson's. Many people also report acting out dreams physically during REM sleep, which is a red flag.A noticeable change in handwriting, especially if it becomes smaller or more cramped—is another early symptom. It's caused by muscle stiffness and slowed movement, which affects motor or frequent urination, especially at night, and ongoing constipation are often early signs. These symptoms result from changes in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily sadness, hopelessness, or a sense of emotional emptiness may develop early—even before motor symptoms. It's more than situational sadness and is thought to stem from chemical imbalances in the of fear, worry, or nervousness that seem excessive or without cause are common in the early stages. Physical symptoms may include a racing heart, dizziness, sweating, or difficulty tiredness that doesn't go away with rest can hit even in the early stages. This type of fatigue can fluctuate daily and is believed to result from both brain chemistry changes and disrupted often associated with later stages, mild shaking or tremors, especially in the hands, can appear early. These usually start on one side of the body and may worsen with stress or activities start to take longer. You may notice a slight shuffle in your walk, slower arm movements, or difficulty with tasks like buttoning a shirt or writing a in the arms, legs, or neck, especially if it's persistent and doesn't go away with movement, can be an early red flag. It may make it harder to get out of bed or move you or someone you know is experiencing several of these signs, it's worth talking to a doctor. Early detection of Parkinson's can improve long-term outcomes, and Ozzy Osbourne's public battle has helped countless others recognize the importance of staying alert to these subtle but serious 166,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease, and the number of cases around the world is expected to double by 2050. It's the neurological condition that is growing the fastest in the world. Getting a diagnosis early can lead to earlier treatment, a better quality of life, and more time before symptoms that make life difficult start to show helped bring attention to this hard-to-understand illness by being honest about his problems. His legacy now includes not only his famous music but also the work he did to raise awareness about Parkinson's disease. His story might encourage others to get help sooner and better manage their may include loss of smell, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and smaller While most people are diagnosed after 50, some develop symptoms in their 40s or earlier.


Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Will Bryan Johnson never die? Here's all about tech entrepreneur's tall claim, Bryan AI and Project Blueprint
What is Bryan AI? Think like him Respond like him Hold his values and memory Serve as a digital twin Live Events What is Project Blueprint? A strict diet and intermittent fasting Sleeping at 5:00 PM with over eight hours of sleep Daily health tracking of organs and skin elasticity Weekly MRI scans and ultrasounds Guidance from over 30 doctors and health experts AI and the Future of Human Consciousness Kernel and Real-Time Brain Mapping Read brain activity in real time Help store or transfer memory Enable communication between human brains and machines A New View of Existence and Death FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a recent WIRED interview, Johnson said he does not believe he will die. This statement is not based on belief alone but on scientific projects he is funding and leading. His work combines artificial intelligence, biology, and neuroscience to develop a new understanding of life and believes that human identity can move beyond biology. He is developing Bryan AI, a digital version of himself. This system is being trained using thousands of hours of his recorded conversations, writings, interviews, and to Johnson, Bryan AI will:This project reflects Johnson's idea that a person's consciousness can live beyond the body. He sees Bryan AI as a second version of himself, stored digitally and able to evolve personal health project, known as Project Blueprint, costs around $2 million per year. It focuses on reversing biological aging and is supported by a large medical features of his lifestyle include:One notable act under this program included a plasma transfusion from his teenage son. The goal was to refresh his body using younger blood. Critics raised concerns, but Johnson viewed it as an experiment. According to his data, his biological age has decreased by more than five view of AI is not as a tool but as a pathway to extending human life. Bryan AI represents more than a program—it is a reflection of his own goal is to upload memory, personality, and thought into a digital system. This approach connects with a larger scientific field called mind uploading , where technology is used to preserve or replicate many experts believe a digital copy cannot truly replace a human mind, Johnson disagrees. He sees brain functions as patterns that can be copied, understood, and also leads Kernel, a neurotech company that is working on non-invasive brain helmets are designed to:To Johnson, biology is only the beginning. He refers to it as version 1.0, while digital life is version 2.0. This belief guides his work across all long-term goal is not just to live longer but to create a new form of existence where consciousness continues through data and view redefines mortality. He sees death not as unavoidable but as a technical challenge. His work aims to make continued existence the most important believes that if consciousness can be preserved or recreated, then death becomes a problem that can be solved, not just AI is a digital replica of Bryan Johnson's consciousness, built using AI trained on his data, aimed at preserving his identity beyond his biological Blueprint is Bryan Johnson's $2 million-per-year program to reverse biological aging through strict routines, advanced medical scans, and expert health monitoring.


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Dr Reddy's plans to launch generic of Novo's weight-loss drug next year, CEO says
(You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories plans to launch a cheaper copycat version of Novo Nordisk 's blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in 87 countries next year, CEO Erez Israeli said in a press briefing on launch plans for the generic version of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient of Novo's Wegovy and Ozempic , comes at a time when drugmakers are racing to grab a share of the global obesity drugs market that is expected to be valued at $150 billion by early 2030s.