AHS warn of more areas possibly exposed with measles

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning the public about locations possibly exposed to measles after individuals suffering from the disease while still infectious entered them in early May.

This comes after the latest government report added 13 more cases in the province, bringing the total to 326. Of those cases, 23 are known to be communicable.

AHS said Saturday that those areas being warned about are in Taber, Whitecourt, and Grimshaw, which are in the AHS South and North zones.

The following areas in the North Zone are:

• The Whitecourt Wild Rose Carnival on May 2 from 3:30-8 p.m.
• The IGA on 4802 – 51 Street in Whitecourt on May 4 from 12-2:45 p.m.
• The Grimshaw Chiropractic Care Centre at 5016 – 54 Avenue on May 6 from 9-11:45 a.m.

The following area in Taber in the South Zone is:

• The No Frills at 150 Barton Drive on May 3 from 12-6 p.m.

AHS says anyone who attended those locations at the times listed, was born in or after 1970, and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine may be at risk for developing measles.

Those individuals are being asked to monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.

Symptoms include:

• Fever of 38.3 °C or higher.
• Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes.
• A rash that appears 3-7 days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.

AHS says measles complications include ear infections, pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery, and “rarely death.” It adds that those who are pregnant, less than five years old, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

Of the 326 confirmed cases, 200 are in the South Zone, and 24 are in the North Zone. Additionally, 169 cases are children 5-17 years old. The next highest are younger than five, at 97 cases. There are 19 hospitalizations, and 229 of the total cases are unimmunized.

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced a new measles information campaign, which came after multiple healthcare professionals sounded the alarm on measles exposure in the province.

She acknowledged that more needs to be done to prevent the spread of measles, adding that the advertising campaign urging vaccinations will begin in mid-May.

Alberta has a new measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 where people can check their immunization records or book appointments. More information, including the province’s measles numbers, can be found online.