Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a public health alert following the confirmation of a measles case linked to the emergency department at Edmonton's Stollery Children's Hospital. The highly contagious viral infection poses a risk to individuals who were present at specific locations during precise exposure windows.
Exposure Locations and Times
The confirmed case was present at two locations within the Walter Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre complex. The first exposure occurred in the Stollery Children's Hospital Emergency Room between approximately 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and 1:16 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
A second potential exposure site was the interior area between the 112 Street and 114 Street entrances of the Walter Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre (8440 112 St.). The individual was in that area from 11:16 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, to 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 4.
Who is at Risk and Required Actions
In its advisory, AHS stated that measles is "an extremely contagious disease" where "the virus spreads easily through the air." Individuals who were at the named locations during those times and meet specific criteria are considered at risk.
This includes anyone born in or after 1970 who has received fewer than two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine or has never had a confirmed measles infection. AHS strongly advises these individuals to:
- Review their immunization records immediately.
- Self-monitor closely for symptoms of measles for 21 days following the exposure.
- Inform any healthcare facility of their potential exposure before visiting, to allow for precautionary measures.
For those not protected, post-exposure prophylaxis may be an option. A measles vaccine can be effective if administered within 72 hours of exposure. Alternatively, immunoglobulin may be given within six days to vulnerable groups, including infants under one, pregnant individuals, and those with severely compromised immune systems.
Recognizing Measles Symptoms and Seeking Care
The initial symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:
- High fever (38.3°C or higher).
- Cough, runny nose, and/or red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis).
A distinctive rash usually develops 3 to 7 days after the fever begins. It often starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading downward to the rest of the body. The advisory notes that the rash's appearance can vary: it appears red and blotchy on lighter skin but may present as purple, darker than surrounding skin, or be difficult to see on darker skin tones.
Complications from measles can be severe, ranging from ear infections and pneumonia to encephalitis (brain inflammation) and, in rare cases, death. Pregnant individuals, children under five, and immunocompromised people are at the highest risk for serious complications.
Anyone developing symptoms is instructed to stay home and call the AHS measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any doctor's office, clinic, pharmacy, or hospital. This critical step helps prevent further spread in healthcare settings.
The public alert serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination. Measles is preventable through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is part of Alberta's routine childhood immunization schedule.
