Measles cases confirmed in Edmonton, triggering public health warning
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Confirmed measles cases in the Edmonton region have public health officials issuing a warning about the potential risk of exposure.
In a public health advisory issued late Sunday, Alberta Health Services said cases have been confirmed in the Edmonton region, including two instances when the highly contagious disease could have spread to others at local medical facilities.
The advisory said people who were at the Stollery Children's Hospital's emergency department between March 14 at 10 p.m. and March 15 at 12:30 a.m. may have been exposed.
Anyone who was at the Belle Rive Medicentres Family Health Care Clinic in northeast Edmonton on March 12 between 2:15 p.m. and about 5:15 p.m. is also at risk of exposure, Alberta Health Services cautioned.
The advisory is the latest in a string of public health alerts in recent weeks as Alberta and regions across the country contend with a resurgence in measles cases.
Measles is one of the most infectious communicable diseases in the world and spreads easily through the air. Public health officials are increasingly concerned about its transmission and urging people to ensure they are vaccinated against infection.
Alberta Health Services issued advisories last week warning of the potential risk of exposure in Fort Vermilion and the Calgary region, including Airdrie. The northern Alberta community of John D'Or Prairie, which is part of the Little Red River Cree Nation, has been contending with an outbreak.
Health officials say anyone who was exposed to a possible confirmed case may be at risk of getting sick and is strongly encouraged to review their vaccination records, AHS said .
Anyone who was potentially exposed and was born in or after 1970, and has less than two documented doses of vaccine, is at risk for developing measles and should monitor themselves for symptoms, AHS said.
Symptoms include a fever of 38.3° C or higher, a cough, runny nose and red eyes, and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after a fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face.
People who are pregnant, young children and those with weakened immune systems are among those most at risk for complications from the disease.
If symptoms develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any health-care facility.
In Alberta, measles vaccine doses are offered, free of charge, through the province's immunization program. People exposed to the disease may also be eligible for vaccine or immune globulin to reduce the risk of developing measles.
Albertans uncertain of their immunization history are encouraged to call Health Link at 811 or contact their public health office.
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