Latest news with #MarkJoffe
CBC
02-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Alberta's measles case count surges above 200
Alberta's total number of reported measles cases, since outbreaks began in March, has passed 200. On Friday, the province's count increased by 17, including 13 in the south zone, four in the central zone and two in the Calgary zone. The province also found that two previously reported cases in the north zone were deemed out-of-province cases, bringing the net total change to 17. Overall, the province has seen 210 reported cases of measles this year. Of that total, 26 are known to be active. The province's south zone has seen the bulk of the cases, with 106. The province also reports that the majority of cases, 121, have been recorded in Albertans between five and 17 years old. The tally is 58 for patients under five years old. Provincial data, which was last updated on April 26, shows 11 people have been hospitalized in Alberta due to confirmed measles cases since outbreaks began this spring. On Thursday, Alberta Health Services released details about a confirmed measles patient in southern Alberta who was in public settings while infectious last week. The patient was at the ATB branch in the Village of Foremost on April 21 between approximately 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and at the ATB Financial branch in Bow Island between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the Rexall Pharmacy at 73 Seventh St. S.E. in Medicine Hat between 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on April 22. Earlier this week, AHS also informed the public a confirmed measles patient was at the Two Hills Health Centre Emergency Department, Lab and Diagnostic Imaging in the province's central zone between 8:09 p.m. and 10:14 p.m. on April 24, and at St. Joseph's General Hospital in Vegreville between 8:20 p.m. that same night and 3:50 a.m. the following morning. And in Alberta's north zone, a confirmed measles patient was reported on the weekend in a public setting in Whitecourt. The person was reported to be in the Whitecourt Emergency Department on Sunday, April 27, between 4:43 a.m. and 8:36 p.m., and again on Monday from 8:43 p.m. and 3:35 a.m. the following morning. Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, Dr. Mark Joffe, said last week the recent surge in cases "should concern us all." Joffe left the interim CMOH position in April when his contract ended. The premier noted at the time that the government wanted him to stay on as chief medical officer of health. "We are now in a search for a CMOH," Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Thursday. "I would love to see a permanent CMOH as soon as possible, but we will have to go out to market … there's a process for that as well." LaGrange added that Alberta is seeing a higher number of immunizations compared to last year. According to the provincial government's website, between one and three out of every 1,000 people with measles will die. Measles symptoms include: High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. Blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.
Edmonton Journal
29-04-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Rob Breakenridge: Why has province been so unwilling to talk about measles vaccines?
If we're going to still have a CMOH, this is precisely the sort of situation they need to be at the forefront of No longer the provincial chief medical officer of health, Dr. Mark Joffe is speaking out on the measles outbreak in Alberta and Canada. Photo by Gavin Young / Postmedia Before 2020, there were likely few Albertans who could name Alberta's chief medical officer of health (CMOH). That's likely the case once again. In between, of course, Deena Hinshaw — much like her provincial and federal counterparts — became a household name. That's not the norm, nor should we want it to be. But our level of familiarity with top health officials should be a byproduct of circumstances, not political preference. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It was very much a matter of political preference when Premier Danielle Smith fired Hinshaw as CMOH as one of her first acts as premier. Dr. Mark Joffe was subsequently appointed interim CMOH, a position he held for more than two years before finally bowing out earlier this month. We've gone from one interim CMOH to another. Dr. Sunil Sookram has been temporarily appointed, while the province has begun the process of finding a permanent replacement. It remains to be seen whether the new interim CMOH will be any more visible or vocal than his predecessor. Based on Joffe's tenure, that seems unlikely. With a worsening measles outbreak in the province, though, that is less than ideal. Barely a day goes by now that we aren't hearing about new measles cases and potential public exposures to the virus. Alberta's outbreak isn't the worst in North America, or even Canada, but it's highly concerning. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As the measles case count has continued to climb — now well over 100 — Alberta's CMOH has been conspicuously absent. There were no public news conferences and no interview requests granted. The province maintained that Joffe was closely monitoring the situation and it was being largely handled by local health officials in affected areas. It's reminiscent of the E. coli outbreak that occurred in Calgary in 2023. It wasn't until we had well over 200 cases linked to that outbreak — including more than two dozen hospitalized children — that the CMOH was finally allowed to appear at a news conference. It was 10 months into his appointment as CMOH and his first public appearance. Was it Joffe's decision to maintain a low profile through this measles outbreak? That should be a decision that falls to the CMOH based on an assessment of the situation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More It is both revealing and troubling that one of the first acts from Joffe as a now-former CMOH was to write an op-ed for the Calgary Herald laying out the reasons Albertans should be alarmed by this measles outbreak, and how crucial it is for us to increase vaccination rates. Later in the week, he gave a lengthy presentation at the University of Alberta emphasizing the same points. It is commendable that he would lend his expertise and whatever profile he still has to raise awareness about this rather important matter, but regrettable that he wasn't able to convey this message only days earlier, while still CMOH. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's fair to note here that Alberta Health Services has been diligent and transparent in publishing the measles case count and details around potential public exposures to the virus. Statements from AHS and Alberta Health have extolled the benefits and safety profile of the measles vaccine. This isn't the COVID pandemic and we certainly don't need daily televised news conferences from the CMOH. However, it's not a binary choice between a saturation of daily briefings and no appearances whatsoever. There is more than enough room in between for some meaningful and deliberate public communications. It's unclear why the province has been so unwilling to allow the CMOH to speak publicly. It could just be a lingering distaste of the CMOH's pandemic profile. Or, perhaps it's a reluctance to concede the seriousness of the outbreak. Hopefully, this has nothing to do with the politicization of vaccines. If we're going to still have a CMOH, this is precisely the sort of situation they need to be at the forefront of. The province shouldn't stand in the way of that. Rob Breakenridge is a Calgary-based broadcaster and writer. He can be found at and reached at News Opinion Opinion Local News Politics
Calgary Herald
28-04-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Your letters: Measles vaccine helps protect us all
Article content Great column by Dr. Mark Joffe, former chief medical officer of health, about measles and the MMR vaccine. Article content What struck me was the variable rates of the second dose of MMR in south and central Alberta from 2023. None were at the 95 per cent rate needed for community immunity. Article content Babies under 12 months and immunocompromised people can't be immunized. Please get the second dose of MMR, for all of our sakes. Article content Article content Article content Article content This turmoil has caused many scientists to rethink their lives and careers in the U.S. Canada should position itself immediately to reap an intellectual windfall. Article content We must demonstrate that Canada is a welcoming place for those wishing to pursue their work elsewhere. Canada should launch a dedicated platform to host applications for international researchers. This should include expedited visa applications and financial assistance to help scientists continue their research at our universities and other institutions. Article content Article content There are tremendous gains to be obtained, particularly in the areas of health research, biodiversity, artificial intelligence, decarbonization and digital systems. However, we cannot dally. We must seize the opportunity now. Article content
CBC
25-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Alberta in the midst of worst measles outbreak since 1997 as doctors call for action
Alberta's measles outbreak is now the worst recorded in nearly three decades and that has health experts raising the alarm and renewing calls for stronger messaging from the provincial government. The surge is so concerning, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, Dr. Mark Joffe, who left his post less than two weeks ago, is speaking out and describing measles as a "horrid illness." With 129 cases confirmed as of midday Thursday, the case counts so far this year have already surpassed the most recent high in the year 2000, when 123 cases were reported. The previous major peak was in 1997, when there were 242 cases. In most other years, in the decades after widespread measles vaccination was introduced, only a handful of cases have been reported. "Working in a hospital and seeing sick kids — when you see something that is preventable — it's just a shame to have a child come in and suffer from that," said Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician working at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary. "We're seeing the end result of vaccination rates dropping." In Edmonton, Dr. Joan Robinson calls Alberta's measles situation "alarming." "We have failed in our mission to get this outbreak under control," said Robinson, the director of the pediatric infectious diseases division at the University of Alberta. "With that many cases it is, I think, impossible that we can shut this all down without there being significant further spread." In an opinion piece, published Thursday in the Calgary Herald, Joffe wrote at length about the dangers of measles. "Alberta's current outbreak of measles, affecting mostly children, should concern us all," he said, noting that between 10 and 20 per cent of people infected will require hospital admission. "Measles is a horrid illness. It is much more severe than most childhood infections. While most people recover, some don't." Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. This marks the first time Albertans have heard from Joffe since he left the interim CMOH position earlier this month when his contract ended. The Premier noted at the time that the government wanted him to stay on as chief medical officer of health. His departure came on the heels of growing calls for him to take to the podium and speak directly to Albertans about outbreaks. And doctors raised questions about whether he was allowed to do so. The provincial government has since appointed a temporary replacement. CBC News asked this week for an interview with the interim CMOH, Dr. Sunil Sookram, but was told he is unavailable. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange shared Joffe's opinion piece on X, formerly known as Twitter, and thanked him for highlighting the importance of measles vaccination. "Alberta's government takes public health seriously, and if you want more information on measles or check your immunization record, please contact your local public health centre, call 811, or text 'measles'/'vaccine record' to 88111," LaGrange said in the social media post. Outbreaks will continue doctors warn The Alberta government website states two doses of the measles vaccines offer nearly 100 per cent protection. "There's so many areas with very low levels of immunization so you know that the risk in that population is not small," said Dr. Jim Kellner, a pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist at Alberta Children's Hospital. "Without being overly dramatic, you can anticipate that we're going to see hundreds of more cases this year. And that's a pretty dramatic change from almost no cases." Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus and people can be infectious before they show symptoms, making it extremely difficult to contain without adequate population level protection through vaccination, said Kellner. The latest publicly available data shows that, as of April 19, nine Albertans had been hospitalized since the outbreaks began. "If you have enough cases, you're going to see these rare, severe complications including death," said Kellner, noting there is no effective anti-viral drug to treat measles. Measles vaccine uptake started dropping before the pandemic and continued to decline in the years following, he said. Some parts of Alberta now have very low rates. Calls for messaging, mass immunization clinics What's missing, he argues, is strong messaging from public health officials encouraging vaccination and sharing key information about measles and its risks. "They've been silent on that. There have not been any kind of efforts to provide increased accessibility to vaccine or even recommendations for it," said Kellner, who's also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Calgary. "It's worrisome because then if there's nothing that happens officially, that doesn't lead to confidence by the general public." Kellner noted approximately 100,000 children die every year globally due to measles. "It's still a major affliction in childhood especially — but even in older persons — around the world. And the No. 1 thing to do is get vaccine rates up." Thakore echoes Kellner's concerns. "We need leadership. We need the public to be able to hear from someone in a leadership position, which is the medical officer of health," he said. Robinson is calling on the province to set up widespread drop-in immunization clinics. "So that people can show up without appointments and get themselves or their children's [immunizations] updated," she said. "We do not have the resources for that in public health right now. But if the government made that a priority, we could make that happen over the next week, even." Meanwhile, in his opinion piece, Joffe said the measles vaccine, which has been used for more than five decades, has a well-established safety record. And he had a stark warning for Albertans. Up to two people in every 1,000 measles patients will develop a brain infection, which often leads to chronic disability or death, he said. A similar number, according to Joffe, will develop long-term brain inflammation, known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which can happen years later and lead to behaviour and cognitive changes and "inevitable death." "In Alberta in the pre-vaccine 1950s, around 10 people (almost always children) died each year from measles. With our current population, and without immunization, measles would cause 45 to 50 deaths each year in Alberta, mainly in young children." According to the provincial government's website, between one and three out of every 1,000 people with measles will die. Measles symptoms include: High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. Blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. Information about measles, including case counts, can be found on the Alberta government's measles web page, which includes a link to a list of exposure location alerts.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Alberta appoints interim chief medical officer of health as province grapples with measles outbreaks
The Alberta government appointed Dr. Sunil Sookram as interim chief medical officer of health Thursday amid growing measles outbreaks and after the previous top doctor left the role earlier this week. Sookram takes over for Dr. Mark Joffe, whose contract ended on Monday, after it had been extended for two weeks. Premier Danielle Smith confirmed this week that Joffe left of his own accord. He had been the province's top doctor since 2022. In a statement, the province said Sookram's temporary appointment ensures continuity while arrangements are finalized for a longer-term replacement. More information will be shared in the coming weeks as the process progresses, the province said. Sookram is currently the facility medical director and chief of medical staff at Strathcona Community Hospital in Sherwood Park. He is also a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta and practises as an emergency physician at the University of Alberta Hospital, the province says. "I'm happy to serve as Alberta's interim chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with the government, my colleagues and health partners to promote and protect the health of all Albertans," Sookram said in a statement. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Sookram has served Albertans through his career in emergency medicine and he brings a wealth of experience to the role. "I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity on a temporary basis as we work to finalize the candidate for the interim chief medical officer of health position. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark Joffe for his service and dedication over the past three years," LaGrange said in a statement. Measles cases continue to climb There were six new cases of measles in Alberta reported on Thursday: four in the central zone, one in the Calgary zone and one in the south zone. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to date to 89. Of those, 83 individuals are now past the period of communicability, the province says. Measles symptoms include: High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. A blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 if they have measles symptoms or think they've been exposed, before visiting a hospital, clinic or health care providers such as pharmacists.
