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
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
Mother donates skin to save burned infant after Air India plane crash
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Eight-month-old Dhyaansh now smiles brightly, his cheeks glowing with health after surviving life-threatening burn injuries. The infant, who suffered 36% burns, has made a remarkable recovery following skin grafts donated by his mother, Manisha, 30. Both mother and child, wife and son of Dr Kapil Kachhadiya , a urology resident at Civil Hospital, were discharged recently after five weeks of treatment for severe burns sustained in the aftermath of the AI 171 plane crash on June 12, The Times of India to ToI, the mother-son duo was in the BJ Medical College hostel and residential quarters in Meghaninagar when the crash caused a fire. "Everything went black for a moment and then heat engulfed our home," recalled Manisha. "I grabbed Dhyaansh and ran through thick smoke and flames. There was a moment I thought we would not make it out. But I had to, for my child. We have both been through pain I cannot put into words."Manisha sustained 25% burns to her hands and face, while Dhyaansh suffered burns to his face, both arms, abdomen and chest. Both were rushed to KD Hospital, where Dhyaansh was admitted to the pediatric ICU and placed on a Adit Desai, managing director of KD Hospital, told ToI, "It was deeply touching because of the mother's instinctive courage to save her child. From a medical standpoint, every department came together to ensure the best possible outcome." He added that the hospital provided free treatment to six patients injured in the AI 171 surgeon Dr Rutvij Parikh explained that both the infant's own skin and his mother's skin grafts were used for treatment. "His age was a major factor. We had to prevent infections and ensure normal growth. His and his mother's recovery has been satisfactory," he said."Dr Kapil's involvement as a father also helped immensely," Dr Parikh noted. "As a medical professional himself, he ensured the dressings were done properly, even late at night."According to ToI, the multidisciplinary team treating Dhyaansh included neonatologist Dr Snehal Patel, pulmonologist Dr Tushar Patel and intensivist Dr Mansi Dandnaik. Dr Snehal Patel highlighted a serious complication: "Blood had rushed into one side of the child's lungs. He was on ventilatory support, and an intercostal drainage tube was inserted until good lung expansion was achieved."With inputs from ToI
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Haridwar stampede: Mansa Devi Temple Trust announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for kin of victims
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Following the tragic stampede near the Mansa Devi Temple in Uttarakhand's Haridwar on Sunday morning, the Mansa Devi Temple Trust authorities have announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to each of the least six people were killed and several others injured in the incident that occurred during a heavy rush of Uttarakhand government has also announced the same ex gratia compensation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered."The injured are being treated. Some have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh. Our priority is that they get good treatment and recover soon. A toll-free number has also been issued. Magisterial inquiry has been ordered and ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, also announced," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told Chief Minister visited the Haridwar District Hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured and directed doctors to ensure the best medical care. He assured that all necessary arrangements would be made immediately and promised all possible support to the affected a speedy recovery to the injured, Dhami stated that the state government stands with every person affected by this tragic incident and with the bereaved assured that the government will leave no stone unturned in providing all possible assistance to the treatment of the injured and their family AIIMS Rishikesh Director Dr Meenu Singh said that four people are in critical condition after the stampede at Haridwar's Mansa Devi Temple on Sunday said that out of the 10 patients currently admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh, two were children."The incident took place around 9 am, and patients started coming in around 11 am. So far, 15 patients have been brought here, and 4-5 have been sent back because they sustained minor injuries. Out of the 10 patients admitted, two are children. Four are in a critical condition... Treatment of all the patients is underway...," Dr Singh told Droupadi Murmu also expressed her condolences at the loss of lives in the stampede this morning on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, a post on X, President Murmu wrote, "The news of the death of many devotees in the stampede accident on the way to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar is deeply painful.""I express my heartfelt condolences to all the grieving families. I pray that all the injured devotees recover quickly," the post read.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
Ray of hope for the Parkinson's community? Latest study claims dogs can detect the disease early with high accuracy
What is Parkinson's Disease Live Events How can dogs help in detecting Parkinson's (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A new study has discovered that trained dogs were surprisingly accurate in detecting Parkinson's disease . This development has come as a ray of hope for the Parkinson's community, as there are currently no definitive early diagnostic tests for the latest findings have given hope to scientists, as this data will help them identify the biological markers that dogs are able to detect, according to Identifying the earliest changes in the body could result in improved tests, allowing patients to get timely care, as the study suggests that dogs can detect symptoms potentially years before is a neurological disorder that leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremors, trouble with balance, and slow movement. It is progressive and worsens as time goes on. While there is no cure at present, medications and sometimes surgery can help manage is still no conclusive test for diagnosing Parkinson's, so finding the biological markers that dogs can sense may be valuable. Symptoms can first appear up to 20 years before they are persistent enough for a clear diagnosis. An early detection test could give patients and doctors a significant advantage in managing the research published on July 15, 2025, in The Journal of Parkinson's Disease claimed that dogs can detect the disease. But the question is, how is this possible?According to the study features a double-blind study involving trained dogs. Seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition caused by glands producing too much sebum, is one of the early symptoms of Parkinson's , often appearing before motor issues. Sebum has a unique smell, and researchers thought dogs might be trained to detect the extra sebum in skin the study, professional trainers taught a group of dogs to detect Parkinson's from skin samples. Ten dogs started the training, but just two finished the challenging process. After completing their training, the dogs were presented with a series of skin samples, one of which might have had Parkinson's. The study was double-blind, making sure the dogs weren't influenced by their trainers or the the end, the dogs were 98% accurate at detecting Parkinson's disease from the skin samples. Their sensitivity to the samples was also high, between 70% and 80%. While this is only an initial step toward creating an early test for Parkinson's, the findings were have demonstrated the ability to sense several diseases, including cancer. Cancerous tumors release volatile organic compounds that some dogs' keen sense of smell can pick up. They may also be able to detect conditions like diabetes, malaria, and COVID-19.
