Three new measles cases in Alberta’s South Zone: provincial health authority

Three new cases of measles have been detected in Alberta, all of them within the same household as another case of the illness.

Alberta Health Services is advising of three new measles cases in the province’s South Zone.

The provincial health authority says the cases are tied to a single household and the case that triggered an exposure warning in the Taber area last week.

On Monday, AHS said the initial case is an Ontario resident who was visiting Taber.

According to AHS, they acquired measles in Ontario.

That case is counted in Ontario’s numbers.

Alberta has seen 17 total cases of measles—eight in the North Zone, four in the Edmonton Zone, two in the Calgary Zone and three in the South Zone.

The Central Zone has not yet had a case of measles confirmed.

Last week’s exposure warning noted the following locations, dates and times:

• Flair Airlines flight F8629 from Pearson International Airport to Calgary International Airport on March 8 between 9:12 p.m. (EST) and 11:57 p.m. (MST);
• Calgary International Airport and YYC Budget Car and Truck Rental between 11:55 p.m. on March 8 and 2 a.m. on March 9;
• Taber Health Centre Emergency Department on March 11 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.;
• Taber Shoppers Drug Mart on March 11 between 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and
• Taber Health Centre Emergency Department between 10:15 p.m. on March 12 and 10:50 a.m. on March 13.

AHS has previously noted, “Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air.”

AHS has said, “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.”

The provincial health authority has suggested anyone who may have been exposed “review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.”

Symptoms include, according to AHS:

• Fever of 38.3 C or higher;
• Cough, runny nose and red eyes; and
• A red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

Those with symptoms are advised by AHS to call Health Link (811) before attending clinics, pharmacies, etc.