Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued multiple warnings over Wednesday and Thursday about possible measles exposure at three different Edmonton hospitals. Read More
According to the province’s measles dashboard, as of Thursday there are a total of 1,179 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta.
According to the province’s measles dashboard, as of Thursday there are a total of 1,179 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta.
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Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued multiple warnings over Wednesday and Thursday about possible measles exposure at three different Edmonton hospitals.
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Individuals who were at the Stollery Children’s Hospital emergency department or University of Alberta Hospital foyers on Wednesday from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. may have risked exposure to measles. In a Thursday press release, AHS issued a public alert after it was notified of a person with confirmed measles in the Edmonton Zone who was in public while infectious.
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Earlier warnings were issued on Wednesday to those who were at Grey Nuns Community Hospital Units 51, 52, 53, 43 and the emergency department on June 25-28 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m and June 29 from 3:50 a.m. to 7 a.m.
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“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,” AHS said.
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“They should self-monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.”
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According to the province’s measles dashboard, as of Thursday there are a total of 1,179 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta, eight of which are considered communicable. The south zone has the highest number of cases, totalling 742 with four new cases since Wednesday’s update. The north zone has the second highest number, reporting six new cases since Wednesday and a total of 297.
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As the province’s measles case count increases daily, AHS is warning the public that the disease is “extremely contagious,” saying it spreads easily through the air.
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AHS issues fresh measles warnings for Edmonton, St. Albert, northern Alberta
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Experts stress the importance of achieving herd immunity at a community level as Alberta grapples with the measles outbreak
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Key symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius or higher, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that appears 3-7 days after the fever starts — typically first appearing behind the ears, on the face and spreading down the body. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin tones and on darker skin tones appears purple or darker than the skin around it.
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In certain instances, measles complications can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery or, on rare occasions, death,
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“Persons who are pregnant, less than five years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of serious complications,” AHS said.