Alberta's top doctor urges vaccination as measles cases surge
Alberta's total number of measles cases have more than doubled over the last week, prompting Alberta's chief medical officer of health to issue a statement warning it is a serious and preventable virus.
The province reported eight new cases on Friday, bringing the total since the outbreaks began to 58.
Hospitalizations have increased as well. To date, eight Albertans have been hospitalized due to measles.
The province's central zone is hardest hit with 30 cases. There are now 11 cases in the south zone, 10 in the north, four in the Edmonton zone and three in the Calgary zone.
"Measles is more serious than other common childhood illnesses. It can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death," said Dr. Mark Joffe in a statement published online Friday afternoon.
Health officials are watching the central and south zones particularly closely, he said.
"While the number of cases is concerning, I want to let Albertans know that public health officials are managing the cases and contacts as well as working with local leadership to support affected communities."
He also urged immunization, noting the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective.
"These outbreaks are highly preventable. Albertans can protect themselves and those around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up to date," the statement said.
"Immunization with measles-containing vaccine is the single most important public health intervention to prevent measles. This is especially true for parents of children aged two and younger, who are more susceptible to severe outcomes as a result of contracting measles."
Two doses of the measles vaccine offers nearly 100 per cent protection, according to the Alberta government website.
Joffe's statement comes on the heels of increasing calls from health experts for him to speak publicly. He has not appeared at a news conference or in an interview since the measles outbreaks began.
Expanded reporting
The province also expanded its measles webpage, adding more detailed information.
In particular it shows that as of April 5, 30 of the 35 confirmed cases were not immunized. The remaining five had received one dose.
Infectious disease experts had been calling for the release of immunization status in an effort to ensure Albertans were fully informed about the risks.
Alberta Health is also providing a more detailed age breakdown of all measles cases:
Under the age of five: 14 cases
Five to 17 years old: 40 cases
18 to 54 years old: three cases
55 years and older: one case
The data also shows that the number of measles vaccine doses given out dropped in all zones at the end of March after peaking earlier in the month.
Community transmission concerns
In an update from officials this week, AHS staff were told there is evidence of community transmission in some parts of the province.
"Trying to contain this has become extremely difficult," said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.
"We're very much looking like what Ontario might have been looking at in the fall and winter."
Ontario has been battling a growing outbreak for months, with cases now topping 800.
According to Jenne, Alberta needs to act quickly to boost vaccination rates.
If that doesn't happen, he said, it's likely measles will continue to spread.
"Unfortunately we know simply from the math that as case numbers go up, the risk of people with severe infection and severe outcomes also goes up," said Jenne.
Texas reported its second death in an unvaccinated child last week, and last year a young child died in Ontario.
Measles can lead to ear infections, pneumonia and brain swelling (which can cause brain damage).
It can be so severe that between one and three out of every 1,000 people who are infected with the airborne virus will die, according to the province.
Measles symptoms include:
high fever
cough
runny nose
red eyes
a blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts
Call 811 if potentially infected
Alberta Health Services issued a long list of exposure alerts in the central zone this week.
You can see the list of exposure dates and locations here.
A number of the most recent advisories are for emergency departments in Red Deer, Two Hills and Vegreville.
Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 if they have measles symptoms or think they've been exposed, before visiting a hospital, clinic or health care providers such as pharmacists.
Jenne said this will prevent further spread of the virus, which can happen in waiting rooms and could infect vulnerable people.
"Make that phone call first and get instructions on where they can be seen safely, quickly and get the health care they need without potentially spreading that virus further," said Jenne.
Meanwhile the province is also reporting an estimate of the number of cases that it considers past the period of communicability.
Joffe noted 48 cases are "likely" no longer contagious, adding this doesn't necessarily reflect the risk in the community because there may be people in Alberta with undiagnosed measles.
Measles immunization
According to the province, children under the age of five, pregnant Albertans and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe complications from measles.
More than 90 per cent of people, who are not immune and who come into contact with the virus, will become infected, the website states.
The province recently lowered the age at which babies living in central and south zones are eligible for their first measles vaccine. This change was previously put in place for infants in parts of northern Alberta.
Adults born before 1970 who are living in the same parts of the province may also be eligible for a single dose if they meet certain criteria.
The provincial government offers the measles vaccine for free to those who are eligible.
Albertans who are unsure of their immunization history — or that of their child — are urged to text "vaccine record" to 88111, call Health Link at 811, or call their local public health or community health centre.
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