Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a public health alert following a confirmed case of measles that may have exposed others at two locations in southern Alberta. The agency is urging individuals who were at the Calgary International Airport on a specific date and a hospital in Claresholm shortly after to review their immunization status and monitor for symptoms.
Details of the Potential Measles Exposures
The confirmed case involves an individual who arrived in Calgary on Friday, November 22, aboard KLM Flight 677 from Amsterdam. According to AHS, this person passed through the airport's international arrivals, customs, and baggage claim areas. The potential exposure window at Calgary International Airport is between 1:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Mountain Standard Time that day.
Two days later, on Sunday, November 24, the same individual sought care at the Claresholm General Hospital emergency department. People present in that facility from 5:43 p.m. to 10:23 p.m. may also have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.
Who is at Risk and What to Do
AHS specifies that anyone who was at these locations during the stated times and meets certain criteria may be at risk. This includes individuals born in or after 1970 who have less than two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine or who have never had a confirmed case of measles disease.
The health authority advises those potentially exposed to take the following steps:
- Monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days following the exposure date.
- Review your immunization records or those of your children to confirm vaccination status.
- If symptoms develop, stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility, clinic, or pharmacy.
The same hotline can be used to check immunization history and book vaccination appointments.
Measles Context and Symptoms in Alberta
This alert comes amid a significant number of measles cases in the province. As of noon on Monday, December 1, Alberta has recorded 1,975 reported cases of measles since March. Currently, there are two active cases: one in the AHS south zone and another in the north zone.
Measles is a serious and highly infectious viral illness. AHS outlines the following common symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes
- A distinctive red rash that typically appears three to seven days after the fever starts. The rash usually begins behind the ears and on the face before spreading to the body, arms, and legs.
The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and its complications. In Alberta, the vaccine is provided free of charge. AHS strongly encourages all Albertans to ensure they and their families are up-to-date with their immunizations, which is the best defense against the disease.
