Alberta Health Services says a person with lab-confirmed measles was in multiple public settings in the Edmonton area while infectious and members of the public may have been exposed.
AHS issued an alert that people who were in the following locations, during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.
- April 16: Edmonton International Airport, international arrivals and baggage claim area. Exposure time period: 3:20 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- April 20: Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Exposure time period: 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- April 22: 66th Medical Clinic (13635 66th St. N.W., Edmonton). Exposure time period: 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- April 22: Pharmacy 66 (13637 66th St. N.W. Edmonton). Exposure time period: 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- April 23: Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Exposure time period: 4:40 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.
The health agency said in its public alert that anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles at these locations are encouraged to review their immunization records and call Health Link 811 for advice, and monitor themselves for symptoms.
Exposed people who were born in or after 1970 and who have less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine are at risk of developing measles if exposed.
The potential community spread of measles in several cities and an alarming rise in cases abroad has health officials warning Canadians to make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date. The National asks the experts to break down how we got here and what you can do to protect yourself from one of the world’s most contagious viruses.
Those who haven’t had the required doses or who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707 as they may be eligible for medication to prevent measles. Symptoms of measles include cough, fever, runny nose, red eyes, and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts.
Measles is extremely contagious and is easily spread through the air, AHS said.