Measles cases in Alberta nearing highest mark since 1986

Alberta is on the brink of recording its worst rates of measles in nearly four decades and experts predict we'll surpass that alarming milestone soon.

Alberta is on the brink of recording its worst rate of measles in nearly four decades, with experts predicting the province will surpass that milestone soon.

The province reached 809 measles cases on Monday, with 31 new cases added in the North Zone (12), Central Zone (one) and South Zone (18).

Alberta last recorded more than 800 cases in 1986, with 843, according to historical data.

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“We’re now seeing numbers that are the worst number of infections in 39 years, and we’re only about 100 cases away from the 1970s, when vaccinations were introduced,” Craig Jenne, an infectious disease expert from the University of Calgary, said.

As cases continue to rise, Alberta’s interim chief medical health officer is warning parents to take precautions against measles heading into the summer travel season.

Dr. Sunil Sookram sent a letter to parents and guardians last week highlighting that the majority of measles cases in the province are in children under the age of 18.

“As we approach the summer months and increased travel, I want to reiterate that you can protect yourselves, your loved ones and the people around them by ensuring measles immunizations are up to date,” Sookram said in the letter.

“For those who chose not to, it’s important to understand the risk of illness and transmission of measles in Alberta is now at the highest it’s been in 25 years.”

As of Monday, 233 cases were in children under the age of five, while 376 were in kids aged five to 17.

Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, noted that with 579 of the province’s measles cases in the south health zone, they’re starting to see more severe outcomes from the illness.

“The things we generally see them for, me working in the inpatient unit, is due to breathing problems: needing oxygen, needing more breathing support,” Thakore said.

“Now we’re having patients going to ICU for more significant complications, be it inflammation of the brain we worry about or having severe breathing issues and needing more significant interventions.”

As of Sunday, there were five people hospitalized due to measles throughout the province, including two in intensive care.

The province is highlighting its awareness campaign, “Don’t Get Measles, Get Immunized,” which will aim to inform Albertans with social media, digital, print and radio advertising.

“We will be reviewing the success of this campaign and will determine if additional advertising is needed in the future to continue to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your immunizations up to date,” an official with Primary and Preventative Health Services said in a statement.