Rising measles cases in Alberta coincide with big crowds at Calgary Stampede
Posted Jul 8, 2025 6:14 pm.
With measles cases still on the rise in Alberta, some are concerned about the gathering of big crowds during the Calgary Stampede.
The province says there are a total of 1,230 cases in Alberta as of Tuesday. One infectious disease specialist at the University of Calgary says the upward trajectory of cases could mean a higher risk of transmission during the 10-day rodeo event.
“This is the perfect mixing grounds for people that may be coming from a part of the province that have a high number of cases, mixing with people that are in areas with lower viral numbers or transmissions,” says Craig Jenne.
Of the more than 1,200 cases, most are outside of Calgary and Edmonton with more than 750 in the South Zone and nearly 330 in the North Zone. There are 26 cases in Calgary and 12 in Edmonton.
Four people in the province are currently hospitalized with the disease. Earlier this month, Alberta surpassed the most confirmed measles cases in nearly 40 years in this latest outbreak.
CityNews spoke with a number of parents attending the Stampede on Tuesday who say they aren’t thinking twice about bringing their kids.
“We’ve got them vaccinated already,” says one parent.
“There’s a fine balance between the fear and being safe, and also just doing what we do every year and living our lives,” says another.
Jenne says measles symptoms can take up to three weeks to show up after exposure. Symptoms include:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
- Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
- A rash that appears 3 to 7 days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.
If symptoms of measles develop, individuals should stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
