Since the outbreak started in March, Alberta has recorded more than 200 confirmed measles cases.
On Friday, the provincial tally went up by 17 new cases: 13 of these were recorded in the southern region, with four more in the central area, and an additional two in the Calgary district. Furthermore, health officials determined that two earlier confirmed instances in the northern part of the province actually originated from outside the jurisdiction, resulting in a final net increase of 17 cases for the day.
In total, the province has recorded 210 confirmed measles cases for this year. Out of these, 26 cases remain active. Most of the incidents have occurred in the southern region of the province, accounting for 106 cases.
The province also notes that most of the cases, totaling 121, were found among Albertans aged between five and 17 years old. There are 58 cases for those younger than five years old.
The provincial data, most recently updated on April 26, indicates that since the outbreak started this spring, 11 individuals have been admitted to hospitals in Alberta because of confirmed measles cases.
On Thursday, Alberta Health Services provided information regarding a confirmed case of measles in a person from southern Alberta who had been out in various public places while contagious last week. This individual visited the ATB branch in the Village of Foremost on April 21 between around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., then went to the ATB Financial office in Bow Island from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by visiting the Rexall Pharmacy located at 73 Seventh Street S.E. in Medicine Hat on April 22 between 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Earlier this week, AHS notified the public about a confirmed measles case at the Two Hills Health Centre Emergency Department, Laboratory, and Diagnostic Imaging facility in the province’s central region from 8:09 p.m. to 10:14 p.m. on April 24. The individual was also present at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville during the period from 8:20 p.m. on April 24 until 3:50 a.m. on April 25.
In northern Alberta, a case of confirmed measles was reported over the weekend at a public location in Whitecourt. This individual was noted to have been present at the Whitecourt Emergency Department on Sunday, from 4:43 a.m. to 8:36 p.m., and then again on Monday, from 8:43 p.m. until 3:35 a.m. the next day.
On Friday, AHS additionally released a warning informing the community of a verified measles case at a public location in Calgary.
The AHS stated that the individual with the virus was present at the Lucky Supermarket located at 4527 8th Ave. S.E. from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM on Sunday, April 27. Additionally, they were seen in public areas of Calgary’s northeast region on Tuesday, April 29. Specifically, this person visited both the SantiMed Family and Walk-In Clinic and Alberta Precision Laboratories’ Sunridge branch; their presence ranged from 11:50 AM to 2:15 PM for the clinic visit and from 12:20 PM to 2:55 PM for the laboratory site.
An additional AHS warning released on Friday stated that a confirmed measles case had been present in various locations within the province’s southern region. Specifically, this individual visited the Coaldale Health Centre Ambulatory Clinic from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 20; the Taber Walmart store from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26; and The Movie Mill cinema located on Mayor Magrath Drive South in Lethbridge between 6:50 and 10 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.
Dr. Mark Joffe, who previously served as Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health,
said last week
The recent increase in cases “ought to worry each of us.” Joffe stepped down from the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health role in April when his contract concluded. The premier remarked at the time that
The government wished for him to remain.
as the lead public health doctor.
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange stated on Thursday, “We are currently looking for a Chief Medical Officer of Health.” She added, “It would be great to have a permanent CMOH in place at the earliest convenience; however, we must follow due process and seek candidates through an open market search.”
LaGrange also mentioned that Alberta has recorded more vaccinations this year than it did previously.
Craig Jenne, a professor at the University of Calgary within the department of microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases, stated that the increasing number of cases in Alberta is worrisome.
“Currently, we aren’t observing any signs of it decelerating, so we expect to see increasing numbers of cases over the coming weeks,” Jenne stated.
He observed that Alberta’s case count is increasing at a faster pace compared to the surge in Ontario, which has
1,200 cases
since October.
Jenne mentioned that Alberta’s vaccination rate remains insufficient to get the outbreak under control.
According to infectious disease specialists, a total coverage of 95 percent is required at the community level to protect against measles.
“We believe the most effective approach is to ensure our communication is transparent and direct. It’s crucial to make vaccinations readily available and simple to acquire,” Jenne stated.
Albertans with inquiries about the measles vaccine should not hold back from consulting a healthcare professional or pharmacist, according to Jenne.
As stated on the provincial government’s website, one to three individuals per every 1,000 who contract measles may succumb to the disease.
Measles symptoms include:
- High fever.
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red eyes.
- Blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.
