The Alberta government has issued an update about measles cases around the province.
Officials say as of Saturday, April 11, Alberta has seen 58 confirmed cases, with an estimated 48 of those being past their period of communicability, when the infected individual can pass the illness on to another person.
“It’s important to note that this does not necessarily reflect risk in the community as there may be people with undiagnosed measles, including people coming into the province from other places where it’s circulating, nor does it reflect the number of persons who have been exposed to measles,” reads a statement from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mark Joffe.
He says the province is paying close attention to rising cases, particularly in the south and central zones.
“While the number of cases is concerning, I want to let Albertans know that public health officials are managing the cases and contacts as well as working with local leadership to support affected communities,” Joffe says, adding measles is more serious than any other common childhood illnesses.
“It can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.”
Symptoms you might spot early on for measles include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a blotchy red rash that shows up three to seven days after the fever starts. If you are showing symptoms, stay home and contact Health Link at 811.
Joffe is encouraging vaccination to help prevent the illness.
“In light of the measles outbreaks across the province, I want to remind all Albertans that these outbreaks are highly preventable,” he states.
“Albertans can protect themselves and those around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up to date. Immunization with measles-containing vaccine is the single most important public health intervention to prevent measles. This is especially true for parents of children aged two and younger, who are more susceptible to severe outcomes as a result of contracting measles.”
More information about measles and how the province is addressing the outbreak is available at the Alberta Government website.
