Alberta health officials have issued a warning after a confirmed case of measles in the Edmonton area.
Measles is a highly contagious disease spread easily through the air, so Alberta Health Services is warning anyone who was in the areas below at the times listed of possible exposure.
Jan. 31:
- Real Canadian Superstore at 101 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Chapters at 445 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert between 3:15 and 6 p.m.
Feb. 2:
- Italian Bakery’s Mercato at 120 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Feb. 3:
- Various University of Alberta Hospital locations between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Gift shop
- Information desk and the immediate surrounding area
- Main cafeteria
- North elevators across from the information desk and entire area surrounding the area, including public washrooms
- East hospital entrance, 112 Street foyer area, including the escalators
- Main hallway from the 112 Street entrance through the to the Stollery and adult emergency rooms
- Main floor area around the McMullen Gallery
- Stollery Children’s Hospital emergency department between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Anyone who was at those locations during the specified times who hasn’t received any measles-containing vaccine or who is pregnant, immune compromised or under one year of age is advised to call Health Link 811 for assessment.
“Those on Feb. 2 and 3 that have been in those locations, they could be eligible for post-exposure prophylactics, especially if they are pregnant, immune compromised or under the age of one,” Medical Officer of Health Grazia Salvo said.
Only people who may have been exposed on Feb. 2 or Feb. 3 will be eligible for the preventative vaccine. Anyone who may have been exposed on Jan. 31 should still review their immunization history and call 811 for advice.
People who may have been in the areas listed, who were born after 1970 and have not already had measles or have not received two doses of the measles vaccine, may also be at risk for developing measles.
“If you were in those areas during that time, that the attack rate of measles is very high so you’re actually quite likely if you were in contact to develop disease,” Salvo said.
For someone who has had two doses of the vaccine, Salvo said there is next to no risk.
Anyone who thinks they may have been affected is encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms. If symptoms do develop, AHS says to stay home and call Health Link 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Fever of 38.3 C or higher
- Cough, running nose and/or red eyes
- And a red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and the legs
In Alberta, the measles vaccine is available free of charge through Alberta’s immunization program. Children typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months and their second dose between the ages of four and six.
Salvo couldn’t say whether the person in question was vaccinated against measles, but did say not everyone can receive the vaccine.
Anyone who is unsure of their or their child’s vaccine history can call Health Link 811 for information.