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CTV News
15 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae advisory issued for Isle Lake
Samples from a bloom of blue-green algae taken from the French River have been confirmed to be a species of cyanobacteria that can produce toxins. (File) Visitors to Isle Lake should watch out for blue-green algae. Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a release Friday saying cyanobacteria had been found in the lake that spans the Parkland and Lac Ste. Anne Counties. The algae, which can appear like scum, grass clippings or fuzz on water's surface, can be harmful to people and animals that come into contact with it. Symptoms include skin irritation, rash, sore throat and eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People and pets should not swim or wade where algae is present or eat whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake, AHS said, but fish filets are safe. Any area of the lake where the bacteria are not present is safe to use. AHS said untreated water from any body of water should never be used for drinking or cooking. For more information, visit the AHS website. Anyone who suspects illness related to cyanobacteria can also call Health Link at 811.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Three new measles cases, all linked to Ontario traveller, confirmed in southern Alberta
Three new measles cases have been confirmed in Alberta, pushing the south health zone into outbreak status. The additional cases, reported midday on Monday, are all in the same household that was visited by an Ontario resident who travelled to the Taber area and tested positive earlier in March, prompting a recent public health alert. There have now been 17 confirmed cases spanning four provincial health zones, including three in the south zone, two in the Calgary zone, four in the Edmonton zone and eight in the north zone. The Ontario resident is not counted in Alberta's total. Each of those four health zones now have measles outbreaks, meaning there are two or more linked cases in a given zone. All but one of the Alberta residents who've tested positive so far are under the age of 18. One is between the ages of 35 and 54. No one is currently hospitalized. Measles is an extremely contagious and potentially dangerous airborne virus. According to the province, it can lead to a number of complications — including ear infections, swelling of the brain, and lung infections — and between one and three out of every 1,000 people who are infected will die. Symptoms include: high fever cough runny nose red eyes a blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts "You can get measles just by passing through a room or location where a person who is infected was up to two hours before," the Alberta Health Services (AHS) website states. Health officials are urging Albertans to ensure they and their children are up-to-date on their measles immunizations, noting more than 90 per cent of people who are not immune to measles and come into contact with it will become infected. According to provincial data, 59.6 per cent of children in the south zone who were born in 2021 were fully vaccinated (with two doses) by their second birthday in 2023. The target is 95 per cent. Even lower rates were reported in localized areas, including the County of Forty Mile at 27 per cent and the Municipal District of Taber which reported 28.4 per cent. The provincial average in 2023 was 69.3 per cent. How to get immunized Alberta Health said there are no plans for additional drop-in immunization clinics in the south zone at this time. Alberta's routine immunization program recommends children get their first measles dose at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months. Free measles immunizations for eligible people can be booked through Health Link at 811 or by contacting your local community health centre. AHS has a web page dedicated to information on potential exposure locations, advisories and immunization information. And Alberta Health posts updates on measles cases on weekdays at 12:30 p.m. here. Albertans who are unsure of their immunization history can text "vaccine record" to 88111 or call Health Link (811). People 14 years of age and older can also check MyHealth Records.
CBC
17-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles cases confirmed in Edmonton, triggering public health warning
Social Sharing 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.
