Residents in Red Water, Bon Accord may be at risk for measles

CTV Edmonton: Third case of measles confirmed A warning from health officials, after another case of the measles was confirmed in the Edmonton area.

Alberta Health Services is advising the public that a case of measles has been confirmed north of Edmonton. People who may have visited certain locations could be at risk for contracting the virus.

AHS says anyone who has not had the measles, or received two doses of the measles and was at Bon Accord Foods at 4915 50 street in Bon Accord between 9:30pm and 10:00pm on April 11, 2014, or the Redwater Health Centre between 10:00 am on Sunday, April 13 until 8:30 pm on April 15 could be at risk, and should watch out for symptoms.

Symptoms of measles include:

If you believe you may have the measles, you are urged to stay home, and call Alberta Health Link at 1-866-408-5465 before visiting a hospital or doctor. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air, and can be fatal. AHS says the number of people being vaccinated is down.

"It's devastating consequences and a safe vaccine, why people chose to not take advantage, we dont completely understand." Dr. Marcia Johnson said on Tuesday.

There is no cure for measles, but getting vaccinated will protect you against the virus.

"Measles is extremely contageous." Dr. Johnson says. "If it is in your community and there are people who are not protected, especially if there are pockets of people who arent protected, it will continue to ciruclate and cause disease."

Most children in Alberta receive a measles vaccine around the time of their first birthday, with a second dose being administered between the ages of four and six. If you don’t have vaccine records for you or your child, you can access them by visiting a public health office, or by calling Alberta Health Link at 1-866-408-5465.

This is the third time Alberta Health Services has issued an advisory about a case of measles in the Edmonton region this month, but AHS says the cases are not connected. A case of measles on April 3 was the first one confirmed in Edmonton since 2012.