Alberta's measles count now over 500 cases in the province
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There are now over 500 cases of the measles in Alberta.
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As of Thursday morning, the province has recorded 505 cases of the virus, 130 more than reported last week.
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Majority of the cases are reported in the southern region of the province, where 362 cases have been recorded, followed by 92 cases in the central region and 33 in northern Alberta.
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Few cases have been reported in Calgary and Edmonton, the province's urban hubs, at 12 and 6 cases respectively.
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Several experts have attributed the rising counts to low vaccination rates, particularly in the rural areas of the province, making the areas hotbeds for the virus to spread.
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In the south zone, where majority of the cases are concentrated, multiple communities show vaccination rates well below 50 per cent in 2024, including County of Forty Mile (30.2 per cent), Municipality of Taber (39.1 per cent), Lethbridge (46.7 per cent).
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In the central zone, Two Hills Country reports a paltry vaccination rate of 24 per cent.
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Experts say, to ensure community immunity against the virus, atleast 95 per cent of the community must be vaccinated.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health last week said that the province had initiated a 'boosted social media campaign encouraging Albertans to check and update their vaccination records'. It ran until early May until it transitioned to the new 'Don't Get Measles. Get Immunized.' campaign.
'The 'Don't Get Measles. Get Immunized.' campaign launched on social media, sharing advertorials encouraging Albertans to get vaccinated via radio, print, digital and social media advertising.
The campaign also includes an information toolkit for daycare and childcare facility operators. Online ads can be read in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Tagalog and radio ads in English, Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Farsi, Somali, Vietnamese, and Low German.
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16 hours ago
These Gazan families came to Quebec for safety. Now, they face life without health coverage
When Nidal Zaqout arrived in Montreal last September from Gaza, he hoped to have a chance to rebuild his life. But safety didn't mean the struggle was over. He soon realized that he and his family would only receive public health coverage for three months after arrival — despite having fled Israel's deadly attacks on Gazans and their homeland. It's a bad feeling, I'm thinking about everything every day, Zaqout said from the living room of his West Island home, where he lives with his parents, two of his sisters, his wife and his two children. I have a big family, big responsibility. Zaqout fears what might happen if someone in his household becomes ill. His father suffers from severe knee pain and his mother from migraines and issues with her back, shoulder and neck. Without Quebec health insurance (RAMQ), going to a hospital is not an option, and the options are scarce and expensive. Not all the people have money, they cannot cover for the health because the people came from Gaza, said Aya, Zaqout's 15-year-old sister. Everything is destroyed, they don't have nothing. They lost everything. As Zaqout and his sister spoke, their mother served dates and coffee. The family gathered close and gently helped one another tell their story in Arabic, French, and English, attentive to every detail. Zaqout expressed gratitude toward the Canadian and Quebec governments and said he was happy and feels safe here, but wishes he and his family could have access to care. I can't live without a medical card, he said. 'I need health care after the war' Zaqout and his family arrived in Canada as temporary residents through the temporary residency program for Gazans (new window) . Their visas are valid for three years and they initially received three months of health coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) — after which the federal government says it's up to the provincial government to take over. But Quebec has faced criticism for failing to do so. More than 70 civil society and health-care groups in the province published an open letter in La Presse (new window) last month calling out the province for not providing health-care coverage to Gazans. Quebec remains the only province refusing to insure their health care, the letter stated. According to federal data, 823 Gazans have made it to Canada between October 2023 and May 2025. These families are among the Palestinians affected after Israel's army killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health authorities, and displaced 90 per cent of the enclave's population. That same month, a United Nations report (new window) concluded that Israel is deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians as a group, one of the categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention. Everything got destroyed, my house, my everything, my business, my jobs, said Zaqout, showing a video of his former home in Gaza — a house with elegant architecture and a palm tree that once stood tall beside it. Enlarge image (new window) Jehan Elsayyed, left, a Gazan living in Sherbrooke, Que., with her husband and her daughter, broke her arm after she slipped on ice. Her health coverage expired shortly after and now, she continues to struggle with her recovery. (Submitted by Jehan Elsayyed) Photo: (Submitted by Jehan Elsayyed) Jehan Elsayyed, another Gazan who has been living in Sherbrooke, Que., since December, is all too familiar with Zaqout's loss. She tears up over videoconference as she recalls witnessing an old man forced to strip by an Israeli soldier and her time living in Gaza with 180 people in a single house without water, food or electricity. When she finally made it to Quebec, she slipped on ice and broke her arm. Her health coverage expired shortly after and now, she continues to suffer. I need health care after the war, she said. I don't want my health situation to be worse. Elsayyed is learning French and said she is trying to integrate into society, grateful for the help she's received from Quebecers. But she finds it very frustrating to live without health insurance. I hope that I can have the right to live as a respected person … and to be equal like other immigrants in Quebec, she said. 'We're making them even more vulnerable,' says doctor In the open letter, the 75 organizations pointed out a double standard after Quebec extended Ukrainians' health-care coverage (new window) — initially set to expire in March last year — until March 2028. The same protection has so far been denied to Palestinian families, including children, fleeing a situation described by many experts as genocide, read the letter. Sophie Zhang, a member of Quebec Doctors Against Genocide, was among the physicians who signed it. Our governments do play a role in what's happening to these Gazan families and the reason why they're here in the first place, said Zhang. So I do think we need to take this responsibility and at least give them basic rights like health care. Khadijé Jizi, a Montreal-based genetic counselor and member of the Health Worker Alliance for Palestine, highlighted that Gazan patients suffer from chronic conditions, gynecological and fertility issues and PTSD. These are all things that didn't disappear when they left Gaza. They're still there and they need medical attention, said Jizi. She also warned that without public coverage, Palestinian children won't be supported for potential developmental issues or language delays. These are vulnerable families, so them leaving a country during a genocide and coming to a whole new country … has its set of challenges, said Jizi. When we add not having access to health care, we're making them even more vulnerable. Conflicting explanations from Quebec and Ottawa In response to CBC's request, Quebec's immigration and health ministries issued a joint statement, declaring that provincial health coverage eligibility depends on documents issued by federal immigration authorities related to Gazans' status. The statement noted that the visa granted under the federal government's temporary public policy for Gazans does not include any specific designation, unlike the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. Instead, the province said it is a general document allowing a foreign national to stay in Canada for a limited period, regardless of origin. The provincial ministries said they've asked the federal government to extend coverage under the temporary public policy to avoid a lapse and allow [Gazans] to regularize their status to qualify for the plan, but they say they have yet to receive a response. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, meanwhile, said public health-care coverage is primarily a provincial/territorial responsibility and that provinces and territories were also encouraged to consider extending access to health. Comparisons between Gaza and other crises, such as in Ukraine, oversimplify complex realities that must be considered, including provincial capacity to support newcomers, the ease of movement out of conflict zones, and the targets set by the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the federal ministry wrote in a statement responding to CBC's follow-up questions. Dr. Sophie Zhang is a Montreal-based physician and member of Quebec Doctors Against Genocide. (Submitted by Sophie Zhang) Photo: (Submitted by Sophie Zhang) Zhang described the sentence as shocking and questioned why Ottawa would cite immigration targets in this context. She said she interpreted both governments' statements as attempts to deflect responsibility for an issue that is very easily solvable. Haya Alsakka, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement in Montreal, described the lack of extended health coverage for Gazans as a policy of racism and discrimination, targeting Palestinian and Arab communities. She noted Quebec very quickly provided health coverage to Ukrainians. How are we supposed to believe that it really is an administrative issue that is barring Quebec from giving these families health-care access? asked Alsakka. Zaqout still has loved ones trapped in Gaza, including one of his sisters, along with her husband and child who remain in a tent. He explained that they were living in a different part of the enclave. When they tried to escape, the road was bombarded by the Israeli military. He also added that they didn't receive visas from the federal government. His family cries every day, longing for news and a chance to reunite. As he watches videos of himself treating Palestinian children inside tents in Gaza, he shares his experience as a nurse. Now, in Montreal, he hopes to put that same care to work for Quebecers. I want to succeed in my life. I want to provide all my experience, all my everything to these people here, said Zaqout. I hope to complete my family here and I hope to have a medical card. Hénia Ould-Hammou (new window) · CBC News
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
Ex-CEO of Alberta health authority asks for quick ruling in wrongful dismissal suit
The former head of Alberta's health authority wants a judge to rule on her lawsuit against the provincial government, which she alleges fired her improperly, without the case going to trial. Athana Mentzelopoulos, Alberta Health Services's former chief executive, on Monday applied for a summary judgment in her dispute with the government. The application, filed in the Court of King's Bench in Edmonton, alleges the health minister usurped power accorded to AHS directors when she ordered Ms. Mentzelopoulos's firing in January. Ms. Mentzelopoulos is effectively asking the court to rule on the legality of how the government terminated her employment, rather than the validity of her allegations about why she was fired. The former executive alleges Premier Danielle Smith's government put pressure on her to sign deals that were to the benefit of private companies. Ms. Mentzelopoulos further alleges the government fired her for investigating the terms of some of the health authority's contracts and questioning how some deals came to fruition. The Globe and Mail first reported those allegations in February. Ms. Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million lawsuit sparked multiple investigations, including an RCMP probe, and created a political headache for Ms. Smith's government. Exclusive: Alberta Justice Minister has personal relationship with man whose businesses are tied to AHS investigation Kyle Warner, a spokesman for the newly created ministry of primary and preventative health services, said the government intends to oppose Ms. Mentzelopoulos's application to forgo a trial. 'It is legally baseless and contains a litany of misinformation and false claims,' he said in a statement Tuesday. Ms. Mentzelopoulos's latest court filings contain fresh allegations about the government's interactions with the health authority's board. She alleges Adriana LaGrange, then the health minister and now the minister of primary and preventative health services, decided to fire her despite not having the authority. The former executive alleges only the board or its chair could terminate her contract because she was employed by AHS and reported to its directors, not the government. The government fired Ms. Mentzelopoulos on Jan. 8. But first Ms. LaGrange tried to persuade the board to oust the executive, Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges. Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges on Jan. 6 she informed the health ministry that she had a meeting scheduled for Jan. 10 with the Auditor-General, to update him on her investigations at the agency. After informing the ministry about the meeting, Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges she heard Ms. LaGrange was organizing an informal meeting with directors for Jan. 7. 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Mr. Oberg and Mr. Edmonstone did not acknowledge requests for comment. The fourth independent board member, Angela Fong, also did not acknowledge a request for comment. Ms. LaGrange dissolved the board at the end of January. Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges Ms. LaGrange wanted her to stop investigating the health care system's contract and procurement processes, but she refused. She alleges she was fired for pursuing the investigations. The Alberta government, in previous court filings and public statements, disputes Ms. Mentzelopoulos's allegations. The government alleges she was fired for incompetence. Further, Alberta alleges the former CEO resisted the government's strategy to reduce surgical waiting times by increasing the number of operations performed at private facilities. None of the allegations have been tested in court. The Premier in early March appointed a former chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba to conduct an independent review based on Ms. Mentzelopoulos's allegations. Raymond Wyant was scheduled to deliver an interim written report by May 30 and a final report and recommendations by June 30. However, the government and Mr. Wyant agreed to extend the timeline, according to a press release from the province on May 30. Now, the interim report must be delivered by Sept. 24, with the final version and recommendations due Oct. 15. The United Conservative Party has restructured Alberta Health Services and the Premier, in a cabinet shuffle in May, created the ministries of hospital and surgical health services; and primary and preventative health services. Four ministers are now responsible for Alberta's health care system: Ms. LaGrange oversees primary and preventative health services; Matt Jones is in charge of hospital and surgical health services; Rick Wilson leads mental health and addiction; and Jason Nixon handles assisted living and social services.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Calgary Herald
Smoke free summers a thing of the past as Alberta gets hit with wildfire smoke from all sides
Wildfires burning across western Canada are having a major impact on the air quality in most of Alberta. Article content Article content Article content Smoke from wildfires burning in British Columbia, northern Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are cumulatively worsening the air quality across municipalities in the province and experts are saying smoke-free summers are becoming a thing of the past. Article content Article content Article content Environment Canada's air quality health index (AQHI) is forecasting Edmonton will jump from a 9 out of 10 on Monday to a 10 on Tuesday. Article content Article content Article content Postmedia spoke with two experts in public health and medicine to discuss how Albertans can protect against the smoke, health risks and why does Alberta get so much smoke. Article content Low snow pack, warm and dry weather, and lack of precipitation are pointing to an unfavourable fire season for western Canada — specifically Alberta, says Jeff Brook, an associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Article content Article content Brook said while there's smoke every summer, it is often just above the ground at low levels. However over the past 10 years, he said, researchers are seeing cases where smoke conditions are becoming progressively worse. Article content Article content Article content 'We generally think that the smoke particles are as harmful when we inhale them as regular pollution, and we need to treat them that way,' Brook said. Article content Article content Alberta getting more smoke in recent weeks is in part due to 'luck of the draw' and paired with weather patterns over multiple days as wildfires continue to burn, according to Brook. Article content Article content The reason why Edmonton might get more smoke is due to its proximity to the boreal forest regions, which are often very susceptible to fires. Article content Brook said smoke particles can endure quite readily even when indoors — half of what is outside will get inside. Article content Article content One of the best ways to protect against smoke particles, especially the smaller ones, is by using an air purifier. He said purchasing one is extremely effective, but for those who want to make one at home using a high quality furnace filter, box fan and card board would also be efficient.
