Eleven more measles cases were reported in the Central Zone on Tuesday to raise the total number of cases in the zone to 60 since March 28.
This is the first measles update available since before the Easter long weekend, and Central Zone remains the worst hit during the current measles outbreak.
A total of 118 cases have been reported so far in the province, including 106 people who are no longer able to transmit the disease to others, and 12 who are still infectious.
Since April 12, eight cases have been hospitalized.
As of Tuesday, 10 new cases were also reported in the South Zone to reach 31 cases so far, the North Zone had seven new cases for a total of 17, and Edmonton had one new case to reach five. Cases in Calgary remained steady at five.
A updated list of potential exposure locations and dates can be found at www.alberta.ca/measles.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily through the air. More than 90 per cent of people who are not immune to measles, and who come into contact with the virus, will become infected.
Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, the vaccine is available free of charge through the publicly funded immunization program.
People born in or since 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection.
Those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine and are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles.
Symptoms include a fever of 38.3° C or higher; cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and a red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, typically beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.
Measles can be dangerous because:
• One in 10 people with measles will get middle ear or lung infections.
• One in 1,000 people with measles will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to seizures, deafness or brain damage.
• One to three of every 1,000 people with measles will die.
