Health agency warns of measles exposure at south Edmonton hospitals

The province issued a warning about potential measles exposures at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital last Wednesday.

People who were at several areas of a major south-side medical centre on two different days in late February are being asked to take precautions and look for symptoms because they may have been exposed to the measles virus.

Primary Care Alberta said in a media release Wednesday morning people who were in the following parts of the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital may have come into contact with a person with measles:

Wednesday, Feb. 25

• Stollery Children’s Hospital Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic (1G1). Exposure time period: 8:35-11:10 a.m.
• Stollery Children’s Hospital Audiology Clinic (1G1). Exposure time period: 8:35-11:10 a.m.
• University of Alberta Hospital Videonystagmography (VNG) Services (1G1). Exposure time period: 8:35-11:10 a.m.
• Stollery Children’s and University of Alberta Hospitals – public areas including 112th street main entrance to north elevators, second floor north pedway to 2E. Exposure time period: 9:10-11:25 a.m.
• Stollery Children’s Hospital Edmonton Oilers Ambulatory Clinic (2E) and Otolaryngology (ENT) Clinic. Exposure time period: 9:25 a.m.-1 p.m.
• University of Alberta Hospital Pulmonary Function Lab. Exposure time period: 9:25 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28

• Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Exposure time period: 5:20 a.m.-11:50 p.m.
• University of Alberta Hospital Emergency Department. Exposure time period: 10:25 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

The hospitals are part of the Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre complex on the university’s main campus.

People who were in these areas during these times, were born in 1970 or later, and have fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine or have never had measles could be at risk of developing the illness.

The disease is highly contagious and spreads easily through the air. Symptoms include a fever 38.3 C or higher; a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and a rash that appears three to seven days after fever begins.

Anyone with measles symptoms is asked to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting a health-care facility or doctor.