Confirmed measles exposure at two Calgary medical facilities: AHS

Health officials in Alberta are issuing a warning to the public after a person with measles went to two Calgary medical facilities while infectious.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the individual was at the Alberta Children’s Hospital emergency department on Sept. 11 from 9:10 p.m. to Sept. 12 at 1:45 a.m.

The person returned to that ER the next day, Sept. 13, at 6:15 p.m., and was there until 12:50 a.m. on Sept. 14.

Additionally, the person went to Mission Medical Clinic on Sept. 13, and was there from 10:15 a.m. to 12:40 a.m.

AHS says anyone who attended these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.

Those individuals should self-monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease and the virus spreads easily through the air. Symptoms of measles include: fever of 38.3°C or higher; and cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and a rash that appears three to seven 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.

According to AHS, complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death. People who are pregnant, less than five years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to 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.

The measles vaccines is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is available free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funding immunization program.