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Measles outbreak in the province an 'epidemic' according to Alberta doctors
Measles outbreak in the province an 'epidemic' according to Alberta doctors

Calgary Herald

time23-07-2025

  • Health
  • Calgary Herald

Measles outbreak in the province an 'epidemic' according to Alberta doctors

Alberta doctors say there is no doubt the measles outbreak in the province is an epidemic, even if the government has not said it is. Article content During a virtual panel held by the Alberta Medical Association on Tuesday, Dr. James Talbot, former chief medical officer of health and public health physician, said the rise in measles cases in the province is 'still not under control.' Article content Article content Article content 'The government is reluctant to call this an epidemic, but when Alberta's 1,400 cases is larger than the number for the entire United States and we have 12 times the number of active cases as Texas does per capita, there's not doubt that this is an epidemic,' he said. Article content Article content The panel is the second hosted by pediatrician Dr. Tehseen Ladha, infectious-disease specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger and Talbot since the outbreak was first reported in March. Experts reiterated the consequences of contracting measles and the importance of vaccination and public health practices to mitigate the rise in cases. Article content The province has reported 1,472 cases of measles, of which 15 are active. Children and teenagers aged five to 17 appear to be most affected by the disease, with 639 cases reported, followed by 423 cases among children aged five and younger. Article content Calling the outbreak an epidemic brings a 'level of urgency that is really important when you're asking people to take time out of busy schedules and off vacation to make sure their children are immunized,' Talbot said. Article content Article content It would also spur more action from the province, he added, such as more regular updates on the spread of infection, progress reports on immunization and rationale for why urban centres such as Calgary and Edmonton haven't allowed children under a year old to get the measles vaccine. Article content 'To increase the level of concern appropriately for the public and to be able to make clear that the government is taking this seriously and are accountable for the resources that need to be deployed to bring this under control,' he said. Article content In May, the province launched a campaign to increase public immunization by opening more spots to get vaccinated, sharing digital, radio and print ads encouraging Albertans to get vaccinated in a number of languages, as well as a measles hotline that citizens can call to have questions answered. Article content 'But as the measles numbers show, these measures aren't enough,' Talbot said.

Measles out of control ahead of September school start, doctors warn
Measles out of control ahead of September school start, doctors warn

CBC

time23-07-2025

  • Health
  • CBC

Measles out of control ahead of September school start, doctors warn

Several Alberta doctors are warning the province could face "a perfect storm" as measles outbreaks balloon and children head back to school in September. During a media availability hosted by the Alberta Medical Association on Tuesday, the physicians appealed to parents to ensure their children are vaccinated immediately. And they called on the Alberta government to expand access to an early vaccine dose for babies and to consider requiring proof of immunization in schools. "There's no doubt that this is an epidemic," said Dr. James Talbot, a former chief medical officer of health for Alberta. "Worse, there can be no doubt that it's still not under control." Talbot worries children will be heading back to school in September after having attended family gatherings, sports tournaments, camps and other events where they may have been exposed to measles. "That represents a perfect storm where our children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces and family members will be at risk, increased risk, of getting measles," said Talbot, who is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta's school of public health. As of midday Tuesday Alberta had reported a total of 1,472 measles cases since the outbreaks began in March — and transmission is showing no signs of slowing down. The doctors are pleading with Albertans to ensure their children get vaccinated right away. "The best time to do it is now. Don't wait for the start of the school year. Do it now so they're protected when the school year starts, said Talbot. "That's the most important back-to-school preparation you can do, even more important than buying a back-pack or lunchbox." Edmonton-based pediatrician Dr. Tehseen Ladha is worried that the virus, unchecked, could make some children very sick. "There's this misconception that measles is a routine illness — a routine childhood illness — and it's not," she said. "It's one of the most contagious viruses on earth. And children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are amongst the groups most vulnerable to it." The measles virus can hang in the air for several hours after an individual leaves a location and it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and brain damage, premature delivery and even death. "The risks of getting the illness are much worse and more frequent than getting the vaccine," said Ladha, noting that about 10 per cent of people infected with the virus will end up in hospital. Extra baby dose The doctors are renewing calls for the Alberta government to allow babies as young as six months old, living in all health zones, to have access to an early and extra vaccine dose. The province currently only offers the early shot to babies living in or travelling to the hardest hit south, central and north zones. "Although there are areas in the province with higher rates of measles, people travel within the province. There are no borders," said Ladha. "And we are approaching a school start in which there will be many siblings and playmates bringing measles home to their younger sisters and brothers." Talbot would also like to see the province consider requiring proof of immunization in schools. Ontario, for example, requires that students be vaccinated against a number of illnesses, including measles. "Ontario is better situated for September back to school than Alberta is," he said. If there are outbreaks at schools the physicians warned it may be necessary to send unvaccinated children and staff, who are exposed, home. "You really are meant to be quarantined for 21 days, I believe," said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta. "That is a long time and that is for people who are not sick. That is to try and contain the infection and reduce the successive rings of spread. And that's very disruptive." Measures 'not warranted,' province says As of July 12, 114 Albertans had been hospitalized due to the illness, including 15 intensive care unit admissions. No deaths have been reported. The Alberta government said it is taking the outbreaks seriously and working to limit further spread but that the steps suggested by the physicians are not necessary. "The response is guided by data and the advice of public health experts, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health," said an emailed statement from the Ministry of Primary and Preventive Health Services. "We will continue to adjust our approach as needed based on emerging data and expert advice; however, the measures currently being suggested are not supported by the latest data and are not warranted at this time." The province is pushing back against the idea of offering the early vaccine dose more widely to infants, saying it is an outbreak response in areas where the risk is higher and that the risk in Calgary and Edmonton remains "relatively low." "Offering early doses more broadly — without an identified need — would not be medically appropriate and could divert resources from areas where they are most needed," the spokesperson said. Provincial data shows 17 new cases have been reported in the Calgary zone in the last two weeks, bringing the total to 43 cases. The Edmonton zone, which has seen a slower uptick, has reported 16 cases this year. The government also said it has expanded immunization clinic hours an added clinics in some hard-hit areas. The spokesperson said the province's tactics, which also include targeted outreach, have worked, and vaccination rates have increased. "Messaging targeted to parents and guardians of school-aged children ahead of the school year is also being explored," the statement added, noting parents and guardians received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Health in June, outlining the risks and importance of immunization. The province also insists the measles outbreaks don't constitute an "epidemic" or "province-wide outbreak," because the vast majority of cases are outside of Calgary and Edmonton.

‘No doubt an epidemic': Health professionals warn of severity of measles
‘No doubt an epidemic': Health professionals warn of severity of measles

CTV News

time22-07-2025

  • Health
  • CTV News

‘No doubt an epidemic': Health professionals warn of severity of measles

Health professionals are ringing alarm bells in Alberta as it becomes the measles capital of North America. The Alberta Medical Association held an expert panel Tuesday afternoon to address the province's escalating measles outbreak which has surpassed 1,400 cases. 'There's this misconception that measles is a routine childhood illness, and it's not,' said pediatrician Dr. Tehseen Ladha during the panel. 'Its high-contagiousness and relatively high rate of complications make it unique and something we should really strive to protect against. The measles virus can be spread through the air and can linger in the air for up to two hours, making it one of the most contagious viruses on Earth, said Ladha. Measles is also contagious for days before the rash appears. While Ladha supports the measles vaccine, saying it's the only way to protect yourself from the virus, she did highlight the often rare symptoms of the vaccine. Fever-associated seizures can occur in one to out of 3,000 to 4,000 individuals, said Ladha, while there is a one in 10 chance of hospitalization if someone gets measles. 'We need to compare that to the measles illness itself, which causes brain inflammation or encephalitis in one in 1,000 individuals,' said Ladha. 'We can really see that the risks of getting the illness are much worse and more frequent than the risk of getting the vaccine. Infectious disease specialist Lynora Saxinger said it's reasonable to say that disinformation is a major factor contributing to measles outbreaks worldwide. 'Current vaccination rates in Alberta and across Canada are below the level required to prevent transmission of the disease if it's introduced in the community,' said Saxinger. 'It leaves our communities vulnerable to measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.' While many people may recover from measles, others might endure long-term consequences like whooping cough, stillbirths and birth defects from rubella infection in pregnancy, and infertility in males after mumps infections, said Saxinger. James Talbot, public health physician and former Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the measles outbreak is 'no doubt' an epidemic. 'The province is reluctant to call this an epidemic,' said Talbot. 'But when Alberta's 1,400 cases are larger than the number for the entire United States … there's no doubt that this is an epidemic – worse, there can be no doubt that it's still not under control.' There were 18 new measles cases identified within the last 24 hours. Cases are high in the north and south regions at 451 and 854 cases, respectively. Cases are slowly rising in Calgary and Edmonton. There are 15 active cases of measles in the province as it nears 1,500 cases since Jan. 1.

Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.
Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.

Yahoo

time15-07-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.

Alberta has now confirmed more measles cases than the entire United States has reported this year. The province has been battling outbreaks since March and as of noon Monday, total case counts in the province had ballooned to 1,314. The latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that country has amassed 1,288 cases this year. "Looking at the numbers it saddens me," said Dr. Sam Wong, the president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association. "I think if we had gotten to it sooner — and taken it more seriously sooner — then maybe we would not have reached this milestone where one province actually exceeds the entire case count for the United States, which has got 10 times the population as Canada." Thirty new cases were reported between midday Friday and noon Monday. "It's absolutely terrible," said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta. "It is really a massive scale of spread that's going on right now." It is widely believed by experts and health officials that Alberta's case counts are higher than the confirmed numbers reflect. A standing exposure advisory remains in effect for the entire south zone and parts of the north due to widespread transmission. And the Alberta government's measles website says cases are likely going unreported and undetected. Saxinger worries about the impact of large summer gatherings such as the Calgary Stampede, which just ended on Sunday. "I don't think we've seen a suggestion of things levelling off and now there's large meetings of people and after that school will be back in. So I think there's still a period of serious vulnerability to increasing numbers for a while," said Saxinger. "As an infectious diseases specialist I never would have guessed this was going to happen because measles is supposed to be eradicated." The south, north and central health zones have been the hardest hit by outbreaks. According to provincial data, there had been 102 hospitalizations, including 15 ICU admissions, as of July 5. No deaths have been reported. The latest national statistics show 58 per cent of the new cases reported during the week of June 22 to June 28 were in Alberta. "We know that per capita we have more measles cases in Alberta than really anywhere else in North America," said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. "We have heard stories that there may be underreporting in the U.S. but even the fact that we're close to those numbers is quite concerning given we have almost a hundredth the population." The latest case breakdown shows there have been a total of 774 cases in the south zone, 35 in Calgary zone, 107 in central zone, 13 in the Edmonton zone and 385 in the north. "Perhaps the more concerning aspect, at least for me, is not the total number of cases, it's how quickly we've gotten here," said Jenne, who is also the deputy director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Alberta's measles outbreaks have snowballed more quickly than Ontario's, which started in October, according to Jenne. That province, which has three times the population of Alberta, had confirmed 1,934 as of July 8, with another 310 probable cases. "It is growing much more rapidly here…[The] rate of transmission is very concerning." Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery and even death. Young children, pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. "I'm really afraid that we're going to see terrible outcomes in babies and kids under five because that's the most vulnerable group across the board," said Saxinger. She's calling on the provincial government to take key steps to rein in the outbreaks, including setting up mass vaccination clinics and campaigns. "I think there can be a lot of unintended barriers for people who even want to get their vaccines updated…It can be really hard to book actually getting it," she said. Saxinger also wants the province to target school-aged children for vaccination before they head back to school in the fall. And, like other physicians, Saxinger is calling on the province to offer an early and extra vaccine dose to babies as young as six months old in all regions. The extra shot is only being offered in the south, central and north zones. CBC News asked the government for a response but did not immediately hear back. Pregnant Albertans, who are at high risk as well, need to know they should seek help if they've potentially been exposed, according to Saxinger, and vaccine messaging in general needs to be improved. "I think it really has to be a big priority for elected officials to remind people, because not everyone watches the news [and] not everyone gets the same information." The Alberta government is defending its measles response, saying it's working to limit further spread and support those impacted. "Expanded vaccination clinics, targeted outreach, and clear public health guidance are already in place and showing positive results," an emailed statement from the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services read in part. Measles clinics hours and locations have been expanded in higher risk areas, according to the spokesperson, particularly in southern Alberta. "Comparisons to the United States can be misleading, as most U.S. cases this year are concentrated in a single state —Texas ... Measles is increasing at different times in various regions as it's introduced by travellers, as seen in both Texas and Ontario." The CDC website shows most states are reporting some measles cases. Texas has reported 753 cases since late January. "As of now, there are two [Alberta] patients in hospital, and at no point have more than three or four patients been hospitalized at once," the Alberta government spokesperson said. "There are currently 13 active cases across the province, and that number has remained stable for several weeks. Three of the five health zones have not seen any significant recent increase in cases. Weekly case numbers have now declined for four consecutive weeks and are roughly half of what they were at the recent peak." The Alberta government's own website explains the "active" case count is an estimate and does not reflect the risk level because it doesn't account for those who are undiagnosed or who have been exposed. The Alberta government has also extended its Don't Get Measles, Get Immunized ad campaign into mid-August and public health teams are calling parents of young babies in the hardest hit zones to let them know their infants are eligible for an early vaccine dose. The ministry said its efforts are working and between mid-March and early June, the number of vaccine doses administered across Alberta increased by 57 per cent.

Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.

time14-07-2025

  • Health

Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.

Alberta has now confirmed more measles cases than the entire United States has reported this year. The province has been battling outbreaks since March and as of noon Monday, total case counts in the province had ballooned to 1,314. The latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (new window) shows that country has amassed 1,288 cases this year. Looking at the numbers it saddens me, said Dr. Sam Wong, the president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association. I think if we had gotten to it sooner — and taken it more seriously sooner — then maybe we would not have reached this milestone where one province actually exceeds the entire case count for the United States, which has got 10 times the population as Canada. Thirty new cases were reported between midday Friday and noon Monday. It's absolutely terrible, said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta. It is really a massive scale of spread that's going on right now. It is widely believed by experts and health officials that Alberta's case counts are higher than the confirmed numbers reflect. A standing exposure advisory remains in effect for the entire south zone and parts of the north due to widespread transmission. And the Alberta government's measles website (new window) says cases are likely going unreported and undetected. Saxinger worries about the impact of large summer gatherings such as the Calgary Stampede, which just ended on Sunday. I don't think we've seen a suggestion of things levelling off and now there's large meetings of people and after that school will be back in. So I think there's still a period of serious vulnerability to increasing numbers for a while, said Saxinger. As an infectious diseases specialist I never would have guessed this was going to happen because measles is supposed to be eradicated. The south, north and central health zones have been the hardest hit by outbreaks. According to provincial data (new window) , there had been 102 hospitalizations, including 15 ICU admissions, as of July 5. No deaths have been reported. The latest national statistics (new window) shows 58 per cent of the new cases reported during the week of June 22 to June 28 were in Alberta. We know that per capita we have more measles cases in Alberta than really anywhere else in North America, said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. We have heard stories that there may be underreporting in the U.S. but even the fact that we're close to those numbers is quite concerning given we have almost a hundredth the population. Enlarge image (new window) Craig Jenne is a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. He's also the deputy director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Photo: Fournie par Craig Jenne Transmission rate The latest case breakdown shows there have been a total of 774 cases in the south zone, 35 in Calgary zone, 107 in central zone, 13 in the Edmonton zone and 385 in the north. Perhaps the more concerning aspect, at least for me, is not the total number of cases, it's how quickly we've gotten here, said Jenne, who is also the deputy director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Alberta's measles outbreaks have snowballed more quickly than Ontario's, which started in October, according to Jenne. That province, which has three times the population of Alberta, had confirmed 1,934 as of July 8, with another 310 probable cases. It is growing much more rapidly here…[The] rate of transmission is very concerning. Mass immunization clinics Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery and even death. Young children, pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. I'm really afraid that we're going to see terrible outcomes in babies and kids under five because that's the most vulnerable group across the board, said Saxinger. She's calling on the provincial government to take key steps to rein in the outbreaks, including setting up mass vaccination clinics and campaigns. I think there can be a lot of unintended barriers for people who even want to get their vaccines updated…It can be really hard to book actually getting it, she said. Saxinger also wants the province to target school-aged children for vaccination before they head back to school in the fall. And, like other physicians, Saxinger is calling on the province to offer an early and extra vaccine dose to babies as young as six months old in all regions. The extra shot is only being offered in the south, central and north zones. CBC News asked the government for a response but did not immediately hear back. Pregnant Albertans, who are at high risk as well, need to know they should seek help if they've potentially been exposed, according to Saxinger, and vaccine messaging in general needs to be improved. I think it really has to be a big priority for elected officials to remind people, because not everyone watches the news [and] not everyone gets the same information. Jennifer Lee (new window) · CBC News · Reporter Jennifer Lee is a CBC News reporter based in Calgary. She worked at CBC Toronto, Saskatoon and Regina before landing in Calgary in 2002. If you have a health or human interest story to share, let her know.

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