Measles exposure in Alberta
Posted February 24, 2019 12:33 pm.
Last Updated February 24, 2019 6:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON (CITYNEWS) – A measles outbreak in Vancouver may be more far-reaching than first suspected: a case of the measles has popped up in Edmonton.
Alberta Health Services says the first exposure point came from Air Canada flight AC236 out of the Vancouver Airport heading for the Edmonton International Airport on the morning of Feb. 12. Following the flight, passengers were dropped off at multiple Leduc locations, including Paradise Inn and Suites, Crystal Star Inn, Wyndham Garden Edmonton Airport, and Wingate by Wyndham.
Confirmed case of measles in Alberta, having travelled through the Edmonton international airport. Locations of potential exposure listed here @CityNewsYEG @660NEWS @BTCityNewsCGY #yeg pic.twitter.com/pzPP1Y7OFE
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) February 24, 2019
The infected person also visited the Walmart Supercentre in Leduc on the 12 and used the airport shuttle to Edmonton International from the Crystal Starr Inn to the airport during the morning of Feb. 13. This person travelled from Edmonton to Inuvik on Canadian North Flight #5T-444.
AHS says anyone who was in any of those areas during those says and who are unvaccinated may be at risk of contracting the infectious disease.
Map showing measles exposure areas in Alberta, Feb. 24, 2019. (CREDIT: CityNews map)
“Given the timeframe of the potential exposure, post-exposure immunization is not effective. Individuals are encouraged to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure, which could be up to March 5,” reads a release from the health agency.
“If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811, before visiting any health care facility or provider.”
Says if you were in the area exposed, and have ANY symptoms, call health link for advice but DON’T leave your home where you could infect more people #yeg
— Carly Robinson (@CarlyDRobinson) February 24, 2019
Symptoms of Measles include:
- fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
- cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
- a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs.
“Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization.”
AHS also says the MMR vaccine is free in Alberta. Kids usually get the shot around 12 months of age and a booster around four to six years old. If you’re unsure if you or your child was vaccinated you can reach out to Health Link.
Meantime, there are two new cases in the measles outbreak in Vancouver. Vancouver Coastal Health says they’re related to outbreaks at local schools and it’s unclear if they are connected to the new case in Alberta.
