Nine more measles cases were reported in the Central Zone on Monday to bring the total number of cases in the zone to 39 since March 28.
Central Zone remains the worst hit in Alberta during the current measles outbreak.
As of Monday, there had been no Red Deer cases confirmed so far during the measles outbreak. Cases in the Central Zone were previously been confirmed in Two Hills, Vegreville and Holden areas.
Alberta has had a total of 74 cases reported so far, including 64 people who are no longer able to transmit the disease to others.
Elsewhere in the province, there were seven new cases reported on Monday in the South Zone to reach 18 cases so far. Cases in the North Zone remained at 10, Edmonton cases held steady at four, with three cases so far in Calgary.
A updated list of potential exposure locations and dates can be found at www.alberta.ca/measles.
Alberta Health Services calls measles an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily through the air.
Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program.
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.
• More than 90 per cent of people who are not immune to measles, and who come into contact with the virus, will become infected.
Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can text “vaccine record” to 88111, call Health Link at 811 or their local public health office.
Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles-containing vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age. Children who received two doses of vaccine are considered protected.
Those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine and are pregnant, under one year of age, are adults and/or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles.
People born in or since 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection.
Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles, as measles circulated widely before 1970. One or two doses of the vaccine may be recommended if you are a health care worker, student at a post-secondary educational institution or are travelling outside of Canada.
Albertans are advised to check with their primary care provider for advice on what immunizations are best for them.
For more information on measles disease, visit www.alberta.ca/measles. Albertans can also text “measles” to 88111 to get measles health information texted to their mobile device.
