Lacombe is one of two communities where measles clinics will be held due to a lower measles immunization rate and a strong travel pattern to southern Alberta where an outbreak occurred in October.
Last week Alberta Health Services announced clinics will be held in Lacombe and Two Hills, both located in AHS Central Zone.
In 2012, Lacombe had an 83.84 per cent immunization rate for children by age two for their first dose of measles vaccine. In Two Hills the rate was 66.18.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, one of the medical officers of health with AHS Central Zone, said Lacombe’s immunization rate isn’t dramatically different than many communities in Central Zone, but the city does have the other risk factor — the travel pattern.
The immunization rate for Lacombe was 83.84 per cent.
The rate for Red Deer north was 73.07 per cent, Red Deer east was 72.80, and Red Deer southwest was 68.39. Sylvan Lake was at 74.39. Innisfail was 83.93 per cent. Rocky Mountain House was at 85.43. Ponoka was 74.87.
“We’re doing our best to prevent it from spreading so we’re trying to focus our efforts on where it would be most likely to pop up,” Hinshaw said on Tuesday.
About one in three people with measles will have one or more complications including diarrhea, ear infections (which can lead to permanent hearing loss), pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and seizures.
A very rare but fatal disease of the brain and spinal cord, called sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis, can also develop months to years after measles infection.
Measles can also lead to death.
Complications are more common among children under five years of age and individuals 20 years of age and older.
She said there are no cases of measles in Lacombe and people should not be concerned about visiting the city.
As of Tuesday morning there were 28 cases in the province, all in Southern Alberta.
She said immunization is focused on children because they can get the sickest.
Immunization clinics in Lacombe will be open on Thursday and on Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Lacombe Community Health Centre, 5010 51 St.
Immunization is available to children age 12 months to 17 years who have not yet received measles vaccine, or children age four to 17 years who have not had a second dose of measles vaccine to be fully protected.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes, and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts. The rash typically begins behind the ears and on the face, spreading down to the body, and finally to the arms and legs.
Hinshaw said now would be a really good time for people to find out if their children, and themselves, are up-to-date on immunizations.
“Right now we’ve been given a great opportunity to prevent spread.”
Measles is extremely contagious as it spreads easily through the air. Anyone with measles symptoms should stay home, avoid contact with others, and call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465 before visiting any hospital, clinic, physician, or emergency department.
Calling ahead before seeking treatment can help reduce the potential risk of spreading measles to others.
For more information on measles, and the ongoing measles outbreak, visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/9255.asp or call Health Link Alberta.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com