Alberta Health Services has been notified of additional cases of measles within the South Zone.
At least one of the new cases has been in public settings while infectious. Additional locations may be released if necessary.
Individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:
April 8
Taber Health Centre
Main waiting room, lab and X-ray
Exposure time: Approx. 3:15 – 5:30 p.m.
April 11
Costco Lethbridge
Exposure time: Approx. 3:30 – 7 p.m.
Walmart Lethbridge
Exposure time: Approx. 5 – 8 p.m.
According to AHS, anyone who attended these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, is at risk for developing measles. They should self-monitor themselves of symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread 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 three to seven 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 one year of age or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.
If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 8-1-1 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered free through Alberta’s publicly-funded immunization program.
Following a measles exposure, vaccine given within 72 hours can prevent infection.
For the latest information on measles in Alberta, visit ahs.ca/measles.
