Alberta reaches most confirmed measles cases in nearly 40 years
Posted June 12, 2025 3:30 pm.
Alberta has now seen the most confirmed measles cases in nearly 40 years in this latest outbreak.
The province reported 29 new measles cases on Thursday, bringing the total since the beginning of March to 868 and surpassing the 843 cases Alberta saw back in 1986.
Of the new cases reported Thursday, two are in the Calgary zone. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has not given any indication of public exposures.
There are 22 new cases in the province’s north zone where there has been a ‘Standing Exposure Advisory’ issued for the entire hamlet of La Crete, the St. Theresa General Hospital in Fort Vermilion, and the Northwest Health Centre in High Level.
The exposure advisory means anyone in these locations may have been exposed. More information can be found here.
Officials issued a similar notice for Alberta’s entire south zone last month.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease and the virus spreads easily through the air.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
- Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
- A rash that appears 3 to 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.
Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death. Persons who are pregnant, less than 5 years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.
If symptoms of measles develop, individuals should stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
AHS says measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. The recommended schedule for measles vaccination is two doses, the first at one year of age and the second at 18 months.
