AHS officials bracing for the worst with Lethbridge measles outbreak
Posted Oct 30, 2013 7:51 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta Health Services is bracing for the worst as the highly-contagious measles outbreak in Lethbridge spreads.
There are now 13 confirmed cases, up from six.
The first case was confirmed less than two weeks ago.
AHS says while people might not experience symptoms right away, this outbreak is expected to grow over the weeks and months ahead.
Cough, runny nose, red eyes, a fever, and a rash that starts behind the ears and spreads down the body are symptoms of the virus which can take up to 21 days to show.
However, serious cases can lead to complications, including pneumonia or worse, death.
This latest outbreak of measles is due in large part to the decrease in the number of people being vaccinated, however, free clinics have been set up in that city and so far hundreds of people have gotten the immunization.
People in Calgary are encouraged to do the same if they did not receive both shots as a child and are not immune.
AHS is tracking how fast and where this virus is spreading, to try and get a handle on the situation.
