Alberta reports 19 new cases of measles, surpassing 500 infections

Measles cases continue to rise around the province, but particularly in southern Alberta, and experts warn the spread could get worse before it gets better.

The latest measles numbers from Alberta Health Services, released Wednesday, show 19 new cases of the highly contagious disease from the day before.

It means Alberta has now seen more than 500 confirmed cases of measles since early March.

The province says all but one of the new cases reported Wednesday are in southern Alberta, an area which has seen more than 70 per cent of all cases in the province.

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Data shows the majority of cases have been contracted by individuals who are not vaccinated.

As of 2023, 69.3 per cent of Albertans were immunized against measles, though some regions – particularly in the south zone – fell below 50 per cent.

The benchmark to achieve herd immunity is around 95 per cent.

“Unfortunately, across the province, we’re not at that level,” said Craig Jenne, professor of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.

“In some areas of the province, including southern Alberta, we’re actually significantly below that level with some areas with fewer than 50 per cent of people vaccinated.”

Government data shows close to 80 per cent of Alberta’s total cases have been reported in children, including 157 in those under the age of five.

As of earlier this month, 35 people had been hospitalized.

Alberta Health says one is currently in intensive care.

Medicine Hat emergency department doctor Dr. Paul Parks says measles outbreaks have added extra pressure to a health-care system that’s already strained.

Taber and surrounding communities have been hit particularly hard by measles outbreaks.

AHS issued an advisory warning for anyone living in or planning to travel to the area who is unimmunized, saying the risk of being exposed to measles is “significantly higher” than elsewhere in the province.

Measles symptoms include fever, coughing, runny nose, red eyes and a blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.

The province is encouraging Albertans to get vaccinated against measles and has launched a hotline people can call to learn more about getting immunized.

On Wednesday, the province released additional locations where measles exposures might have occurred:

• Walmart (North Lethbridge)
• Walmart (Taber)
• Taber Clinic
• Raymond Health Centre
• Walmart (South Lethbridge)
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Crowsnest Pass Health Centre
• Taber Health Centre

“Anyone who attended these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles,” the province said in a release.

“They should monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.”

- With files from The Canadian Press