Measles exposure confirmed at Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre
Posted March 5, 2026 5:20 pm.
Public health officials have issued a warning concerning a measles case at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.
The alert was issued on Thursday saying that anyone who may have been in the hospital’s triage centre between 8:10 and 10:40 p.m. on March 1 and the hospital’s acute care waiting room and emergency department between 8:35 p.m. on March 1 and 1:10 a.m. on March 2, may have been exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads through the air when someone who is sick breathes, coughs, or talks.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms of measles may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat.
Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any health care facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
