Alberta sees another measles spike; province now has 287 confirmed cases
Alberta continues to see a sharp rise in measles cases.
As of Tuesday, Alberta has 287 confirmed measles cases—22 more cases than the day before.
Seventeen of the new cases are in the province's south zone.
There are no new cases in the Calgary area.
After months of pressure from medical experts, Alberta Health announced on Monday it was beefing up its measles campaign.
In the coming days, there will be more vaccination clinics across the province.
A hotline is also launching for Albertans wanting to check their vaccination status or learn more about the highly contagious—and preventable—disease.
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CTV News
26 minutes ago
- CTV News
Pediatric ward closure in Kelowna triggers fears of ripple effect in B.C. hospitals
A treatment room in the emergency department at Peter Lougheed hospital is pictured in, Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Dr. Jeff Eppler, an emergency room physician at Kelowna General Hospital, is getting ready for a hectic summer. He's not only thinking about the typical seasonal spike — but the ripple effects of the closure of the hospital's dedicated pediatric ward from May 26 to July 4 due to what Interior Health called 'limited physician availability.' 'It's very difficult, but then you throw this pediatric service disruption in … (it's) just going make our life a lot more difficult, especially as we go into the summer, as things become much busier,' he said. Eppler said ER staff would have to treat some children who would typically be directed onward to pediatrics. 'We can provide safe and effective acute care, but rely on our pediatric colleagues for their support and far deeper knowledge, as well as for providing ongoing care. We cannot be de facto pediatricians as a long-term solution to this current crisis,' he said. And Eppler predicted the resource drain would extend outside the hospital, to ambulance services, as Kelowna General is forced to send other children to other hospitals, in Vernon, Penticton, or potentially even the Kootenays more than 300 kilometres away. Typically, it's the other way around. 'So it's kind of reverse of what we normally do,' Eppler said. 'That certainly ties up ambulances, resources, and it's not great for families or kids, who have a one-to-four hour drive to the other centre.' The closure of Kelowna's pediatric ward is part of ongoing hospital staffing shortages that have caused rolling closures of emergency rooms across the province. Service disruptions at the pediatric ward and concerns about the state of care at Kelowna General are also not new. But the abrupt nature of the pediatric closure last week, and a recent warning from doctors about maternity care is putting one of the province's biggest regional hospitals in the spotlight. Nine doctors working in the department of obstetrics and gynecology released a statement last month warning about a 'growing crisis' in maternity care putting the 'safety of patients and newborns' at 'serious risk' unless officials take immediate actions. They said primary maternity care at the hospital was 'facing a collapse' as early as June 1 because of a 'critical shortage' of family physicians willing or able to provide such care. 'This means that many pregnant patients may arrive at the hospital in labour with no doctor available to provide safe, continuous care during delivery.' Then came the closure of the pediatric ward last week. It should have 12 full-time pediatricians, Interior Health said, but when it closed, staffing was put at five and a half doctors. Susan Brown, president and chief executive officer of Interior Health, said the ward was closed to 'preserve the higher level of care' offered by the pediatricians, who will be redeployed. 'So that would be on our neonatal intensive care unit and some other work at the site,' she said. 'So we've done that to ensure safe patient care, but also thinking about the wellness and retention of the medical staff who continue to go above and beyond.' The hospital with 497 beds received 95,022 emergency room visits in 2023-24, according to Interior Health. It not only serves Greater Kelowna with an estimated population of 235,000, but is also one of two 'tertiary referral hospitals' providing specialized and complex care to a larger region that is home to almost 900,000 people. Adriane Gear, president of the BC Nurses' Union, said nurses at Kelowna General are now responsible for managing acutely ill pediatric patients in an 'already strained emergency department setting' not designed for ongoing pediatric in-patient care. 'This compromises safety, delays treatment, and can increase the risk of poor outcomes,' she said in a letter shared by the union. 'Nurses entered this profession to deliver safe, high quality care — not to be forced into situations that put their patients at risk.' Eppler meanwhile predicted the pediatric ward closure would worsen ER wait times. 'We definitely provide good quality care, but it's becoming increasingly challenging, even before this disruption in pediatric services,' he said. 'We have been coping really for years, and we have been sounding the alarm for a long time, like a broken record.' Eppler said overcrowding 'is really contributing to moral injury and burnout' among physicians and nursing staff. A report from the Montreal Economic Institute released this month said that the median length of a stay in Kelowna General's emergency room was three hours and 24 minutes, lower than the provincial figure of four hours, 13 minutes. Eppler said about 10 per cent of ER admissions involve children. 'On some days, none of those pediatric patients, once they're seen, will need to go in the hospital,' he says. 'But some days, we might admit three or four of them.' Eppler said Wednesday that seven transfers of pediatric patients from Kelowna General to other hospitals had taken place since the ward closure, a figure confirmed by Interior Health. 'But I know those numbers are gonna go up there,' he said. 'So you are gonna see sick children that are going to need admission, and we are going have to transport these patients, if there are beds available at other centres.' Mayor Everett Baker of Grand Forks, a community of some 4,100 about 200 kilometres southeast of Kelowna, said he was concerned about the situation at Kelowna General. Grand Forks has a community hospital with nine ER beds, but depends on other hospitals for more specialized services. Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital is Grand Forks' primary hospital for pediatric care, but Kelowna General had served as a secondary destination, he said. While the closure of the pediatric ward at Kelowna had not yet had an impact on Grand Forks, he agreed with Eppler's prediction of ripple effects throughout the region. 'If there's something that goes on in Kelowna, it can't help but affect other regions just because it is such a major hospital,' Baker said. Small rural communities have fewer options than urban areas, he said. 'It's a different dynamic because in Vancouver, you might have four or five different hospitals … you can access.' Brown said Interior Health was also concerned about the effects of the pediatric closure on other hospitals. She said the ER department would remain open to any pediatric patients. 'But should your child need to be transferred to an alternate site, we have added resources to ensure that there's time to do that in a safe way,' she said. Brown said an additional pediatrician would arrive in July with two more in September. But she could not commit to reopening the ward on July 5, saying the date would be set in consultation with doctors. B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said Friday that she had talked with Brown about recruitment at Kelowna General. She said her ministry was working with doctors to ensure services are in place during a 'very, very challenging time.' Osborne added that recruitment issues at the hospital should be seen within the 'context of a global health care worker shortage.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
We Need to Talk About Erectile Dysfunction: 38% of Canadian Men Don't Know You Need a Prescription for ED Medication
Article content Article content – This Men's Health Week, Phoenix is addressing misconceptions around erectile dysfunction to raise awareness for treatment and break the social stigma – Article content Article content TORONTO — For Men's Health Week (June 9 to 15), Phoenix, Canada's leading digital health clinic for men, is raising awareness to break the stigma around erectile dysfunction (ED), a medical condition that affects almost half (49.4%) of Canadian men aged 40 to 88. Article content ED is a medical condition that prevents the ability to get and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, with a range of potential causes that could each contribute to the condition, including age, medications, injury, and lifestyle. Despite its prevalence, Phoenix's survey of more than 1,500 Canadians found that there is a significant lack of awareness around ED and its treatment, likely contributing to stigma surrounding the condition. Article content CANADIANS UNDERESTIMATE THE REACH OF ED Article content Despite nearly half of Canadian men over 40 being affected, ED's prevalence is underestimated, driving undue stigma. In fact, almost half of Canadians (45%) think that ED affects less than 40 per cent of men 40+. Twenty-seven per cent of Canadians think it affects less than 30 per cent of men 40+. Article content While Canadians underestimate the prevalence of ED in middle-aged and older men, many are also unaware that the condition can also impact younger men. The survey found that 64 per cent of Canadians don't know that men aged 35 and younger can experience ED. That percentage grows as you look at younger men, with 71% of Canadians unaware that men aged 18 to 25 can be affected. This common misconception can contribute to the stigma around experiencing ED as a younger man, making it more difficult for those struggling to seek care. Article content 'ED is a medical condition that men of all ages can experience. There shouldn't be anything awkward about it, but there is. We're trying to change that,' says Kevin Bache, co-founder and co-CEO of Phoenix. 'While it may feel uncomfortable, men need to understand what the condition entails, and not shy away from being proactive in discussing it with a doctor. The sooner you get started, the better your chances are at finding mental and physical relief.' Article content Treatment for ED and its underlying cause can vary greatly depending on a patient's prognosis, however, medication is a common and effective treatment. Despite this fact, Phoenix's survey found 18 per cent of men are unsure if ED is treatable with medication, revealing a lack of awareness that may leave many suffering needlessly. Article content The data also highlighted a concerning gap in awareness that ED medication requires a prescription Article content . Thirty-eight per cent of men are unsure or don't think they need a prescription to purchase medication, such as Viagra, for ED. However, the lack of awareness is most significant among younger Canadians. Article content About three in five Article content Gen Z (59%) don't know that you need a prescription for ED medication: Article content 32 per cent are unsure, and 27 per cent don't think you need a prescription at all. Article content It is important that Canadians know that ED medication requires a prescription from a medical professional, as they may otherwise be vulnerable to purchasing unauthorized sexual enhancement products sold over the counter, which Health Canada warns could pose serious health risks. 'It's no surprise that people aren't aware of the prevalence of ED – it just doesn't get talked about enough. But the good news is, there are treatment options, and with more openness and awareness, more people can seek support immediately,' says Gavin Thompson, co-founder and co-CEO of Phoenix. 'We built Phoenix to change that. Our mission is simple: make expert care easy to access – fast, discreet, and doctor-led. We're building a future where men take charge of their health with confidence.' Article content WHAT CANADIANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ED Article content ED can affect men at any age, but it becomes more common as you get older. ED is more common than you may think, affecting almost half of Canadian men aged 40 to 88. Many factors can cause ED, including: low levels of testosterone, nervous dysfunction, blood flow complications, medications, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, obesity, diet, drug abuse, smoking, and emotional or psychological complications. ED is highly treatable, but the first step is consulting a medical professional. Treatment for erectile dysfunction and its underlying cause can vary greatly, making it important to consult a medical professional to receive a diagnosis and devise an effective treatment strategy. ED medication requires a prescription from a medical professional. Article content Phoenix is currently available in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland. To learn more about Phoenix's ED support, visit Article content ABOUT PHOENIX Article content Phoenix is Canada's leading digital health clinic for men, specializing in three areas of treatment – erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and hair loss. The telehealth platform facilitates access to licensed Canadian physicians, treatment options, and free, discreet shipping of prescription medication from coast to coast. Visit to learn more. Article content SURVEY METHODOLOGY Article content These findings are from a survey conducted by Phoenix from May 20th to May 22nd, 2025, among a representative sample of 1509 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content MEDIA Article content Article content Article content Article content
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Obese patients may need custom doses of certain antibiotics, research suggests
Obese patients may need individualized dosing of antibiotics, new research has suggested. (Pexels/Anna Shvets) Research suggests obesity can interfere with the effectiveness of antibiotics for humans, resulting in too much or too little drug exposure, according to a new systematic review of obesity and antibiotic dosing studies by a team of medical researchers. This systematic review was conducted to 'extract and compile evidence to guide antibiotic dose adjustments in patients with obesity.' The review, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases on May 15, proposed 'consensus guidelines' for prescribing antibiotics to obese patients, describing their research as 'in-depth systematic review of the medical literature on dosing and antibiotics.' Obesity can alter how antibiotics are distributed within the body due to physiological changes such as body composition or even organ dysfunction. 'Substantial changes can occur in the volume of distribution due to increased fat and muscle mass, and tissue drug concentrations might be lowered,' the review says. Mahyar Etminan, a drug safety epidemiologist with EpiLytics Consulting who was not involved in the research but reviewed the publication, explained that obese patients need higher dosages of antibiotics due to the high levels of body tissue. 'You need more of the drug to get into the tissue and that usually means higher doses than what we usually use in non-obese patients,' Etminan told adding that you should use antibiotics that have a higher tissue penetration, 'so they can get into the tissue more than water soluble antibiotics.' The researchers based their analysis on people aged 18 years and higher with a higher Body Mass Index than 30. The main difference is in the functioning of the receptors that these drugs work on, Etminan said. Higher doses? 'In obese individuals, you have higher body mass, so the drug has to get into the tissue (and) has to travel to more tissue than a non-obese patient,' he said. 'That usually means higher doses, use of more penetrating antibiotics and looking into other parameters.' The researchers studied several antibiotic drug classes and the effect of body weight on the manner in which the drugs were absorbed. However, they found that there were some classes of antibiotics, depending on the characteristics, that did not require special instructions for people who were overweight. β-lactam, a class of antibiotics typically used to treat a wide range of acute bacterial infections do not require any special guidelines to be enforced, based on weight class. 'Obesity modestly alters the pharmacokinetics of β-lactam antibiotics, but evidence does not support routine dose adjustments,' the review states. The review also goes on to caution that aggressive dosing of β-lactams can also result in toxic drug concentrations and side-effects, the review cautions. Meanwhile, aminoglycosides and glycopeptides, classes of antibiotics often prescribed by doctors to treat extremely serious infections need to follow the recommended guidelines for obesity-based dosages. 'Therapeutic drug monitoring and the monitoring of creatinine clearance are highly recommended to guide maintenance dosing,' the review recommended. Due to the absence of enough empiric data, therapeutic monitoring of the drugs could prove useful based on each individual patient, it said. Anne-Grete Märtson, a pharmacological researcher at Leiden University in the Netherlands, and her team reviewed 6,113 studies on obesity and antibiotic dosing, of which 128 fit the criteria for the research. Fifty-seven were focused on β-lactam antibiotics and 45 focused on glycopeptides, lipoglycopeptides, and oxazolidinones, according to the review. However, additional studies are required for other types of antibiotic classes to obtain conclusive information, the team noted. 'When making decisions on dosing in obesity, the severity of illness, site of infection, susceptibility of the pathogen, and potential toxicity of the antibiotics should be considered,' the review concluded. 'In the absence of robust pharmacokinetic data to inform dose adjustments, therapeutic drug monitoring can be useful to guide individualized dosing.' Märtson and Thomas Tängdén of Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden, along with a group of collaborators from around the world drafted this recommendation for dose adjustments. The research team members were from the U.S., Belgium, Austria, Germany and Australia.
