Alberta Health Services (AHS) is out with a warning about a person with measles who was in several public places in Calgary while infectious.
AHS says the person likely became infected outside of Canada, but arrived back in Calgary last week and has since visited a grocery store in the northeast and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Anyone in the following locations during the specified day and times could have been exposed:
- Dec. 11 – WestJet flight WS1553 from Seattle to Calgary
- Dec. 11 at 5:55 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. – Calgary International Airport (YYC) Gate D89
- Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Calgary International Airport (YYC) international baggage claim area
- Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. – Calgary International Airport (YYC) international arrivals waiting area
- Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Real Canadian Superstore Westwinds (3633 Westwinds Drive NE)
- Dec. 15 at 12:38 a.m. to 10:47 p.m. – Alberta Children’s Hospital emergency department
- Dec. 15 at 10:24 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. – Alberta Children’s Hospital diagnostic imaging department
- Dec. 15 at 8:47 p.m. to Dec. 17 at 10:08 p.m. – Alberta Children’s Hospital unit 4
Those who attended any of those locations during the specified times, was born in 1970 or later, and has less than two documented measles vaccine doses are at risk and should monitor for symptoms, AHS says.
If symptoms develop, people are being urged to stay home and contact Health Link at 811 before visiting the hospital, or a doctor.
Residents who meet the above criteria and are also pregnant, under one year of age, or have a compromised immune system, are at the greatest risk and should contact Health Link at 811 right away to see if they are eligible for medication.
Measles symptoms include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, along with a cough, runny rose and/or red eyes. A red blotchy rash appears three to seven days after the fever begins, usually starting behind the ears and on the face before spreading down the body.
“Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air,” warns AHS.
The measles vaccine is free in Alberta. Children usually get their first does at 12 months and their second dose at 18 months of age.