Alberta Health Services Issues Public Alert for Measles Exposure

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a public warning for exposure to measles in Calgary after a lab-confirmed case was reported.

According to AHS, a person with a lab-confirmed case was in public settings in Calgary. Reports by CBC says the health agency issued an alert for people who were in the following locations, asking them to watch out for symptoms of the disease:

• Air Canada flight AC206 on Nov. 23, departing from Vancouver at 11:20 Pacific time, arriving in Calgary at 12:45pm. Exposure location: Calgary International Airport, domestic arrivals, between 12:45pm and 3:15pm.
• Alberta Children’s Hospital on Nov. 24 in the emergency department waiting room. Exposure time period: 4:00pm to 9:30pm.
• Alberta Children Hospital on Nov. 27 in the emergency department waiting room. Exposure period: 1:15pm to 4:15pm.

“Anyone who attended these locations at these times (is) strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and call HealthLink 811 for advice”, AHS said in a statement issued on Tuesday night.

The health agency has asked those who believe they may have been exposed to watch themselves for symptoms. “Those who have less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, or those who were born after 1970 are at risk of developing measles if exposed”, CBC reported.

People are to watch out for symptoms like a fever of 38.3C or higher. Other symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. The rash begins behind the ears and on the face, spreads down the body, and to the earms and legs.

AHS also said people who have had fewer than two doses of measles vaccine, pregnant women, infants under one year old, and those with weakened immune systems should also call Health Link to learn if they are eligible to receive medication to prevent getting infected.

AHS said “measles is extremely contagious and is easily spread through the air”. The health agency also said there is “no treatment for measles: however, it can be prevented through immunization.”

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