Measles cases confirmed in Edmonton, triggering public health warning 

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 which can include infections of the middle ear and the lung and swelling of the brain.

According to data from AHS, one to three out of every 1,000 measles cases is fatal. More than 90 per cent of people who are not immune and come into contact with the virus will become infected.

In a statement last week, Dr. Mark Joffe, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, urged Albertans to ensure they are vaccinated. 

"Measles is not just a mild childhood illness — it is a serious, highly infectious disease that can have devastating consequences," Joffe said.

"Thankfully, we have a highly effective vaccine with a long-proven track record of safety. Everyone should take the time to check their immunization record to ensure they are fully immunized. No one should have to endure the consequences of a disease we can prevent."

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.

The measles outbreak in John D'Or Prairie, which includes the Little Red River Cree Nation, was declared last week. 

In a video update to residents Sunday evening, Chief Conroy Sewepagaham said the number of confirmed cases in the community had risen to eight, from a total of six late Friday. 

He said a ninth suspected case is expected to be confirmed once lab tests are completed.

Sewepagaham said a health team is working to track and trace the spread of the disease through the community. Cases are concentrated in three households and Sewepagaham said the health team wants to ensure it doesn't spread.

He said the community's first cases will be considered recovered within a few days.

Schools in the remote northern community will be closed for the week to help control the spread.

"This is to give our track and trace teams, our contact-tracing teams, time to continue their work," Sewepagaham said, adding that extra time could also be helpful in bringing up vaccination rates.