AHS issues public alert after potential measles exposure in Edmonton area

Edmonton Journal

a day ago

As the measles outbreak continues, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a public alert after being notified that an individual with confirmed measles was in public in the Edmonton area while contagious.
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On Wednesday, AHS issued a warning about potential measles exposure near the Edmonton Airport and at an IHOP restaurant on Calgary Trail. As of Wednesday afternoon, there are a total of 1,694 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta, eight of which are considered to be communicable. The south zone currently has the highest number of cases with 958. The Edmonton zone has the lowest number of cases with 23 reported.
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Individuals who were at the following locations at the specified times are potentially at risk of exposure:
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AHS warns that anyone who was at the above locations at the specified times, was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of the measles vaccine, may be at risk of contracting the disease. Those who were at the locations are asked to self-monitor for symptoms and to review their immunization records.
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As the province's measles case count increases daily, AHS is warning the public that the disease is 'extremely contagious,' saying it spreads easily through the air.
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Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius or higher, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that appears 3-7 days after the fever starts — typically first appearing behind the ears, on the face and spreading down the body. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin tones and on darker skin tones appears purple or darker than the skin around it.
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In certain instances, measles complications can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery or, on rare occasions, death.
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AHS said if anyone believes they have been exposed to measles and are not protected, they may be able to receive an immunization to reduce the risk of infection within 72 hours of exposure to prevent measles.
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Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta's publicly funded immunization program. The recommended schedule for measles vaccination is two doses, the first at one year of age and the second at 18 months.