Alberta Health Services (AHS) declared a measles outbreak for Calgary and area on April 29, following several consecutive weeks in which new cases of measles disease have been confirmed. Since the beginning of 2014, there have been 22 confirmed cases of measles in the province.
Three zones have been included in the outbreak area and include Calgary, Edmonton and Central, which includes Two Hills to Drumheller, Lloydminster to Rocky Mountain House and everything in between.
A number of the cases have involved students in Calgary schools.
Rocky View Schools (RVS) Director of Communications Angela Spanier said parents are not required to disclose to the division if their children have a confirmed case of the measles. However, she said the division did forward an advisory from Chief Medical Officer of Health James Talbot to all schools for distribution.
“If Public Health advises us of a confirmed case, we would follow their recommendation as outlined in the advisory,” Spanier said in an email to Rocky View Weekly.
In the advisory, Talbot warns measles can spread rapidly in a school.
“Should measles be identified in a school population, Alberta Health Services public health staff immediately initiates efforts to identify at-risk students and staff,” he said.
He said at-risk individuals will be identified by a review of immunization records of exposed students and staff, to determine if they had received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine at the appropriate age and intervals.
“The best way to protect children and adults from measles is to make sure that one’s measles immunization is up to date,” Talbot said.
He adds susceptible individuals, defined as being born in 1970 or later who do not have documented evidence of immunizations, will be excluded from school should they come in contact with an infectious case. These individuals will be excluded from five days after the first exposure through to 21 days after last exposure.
Symptoms of measles include:
• fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
• cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
• a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs
If symptoms develop, Talbot said the individual should avoid contact with other people, stay home and call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
To view the full advisory, visit www.rockyview.ab.ca/measles-advisory
On April 29, AHS made some changes to the childhood immunization schedule recommendations.
Effective immediately:
• Infants six months of age to less than 12 months of age living in or travelling to the effected zones are eligible for an early additional dose of measles vaccine. This additional dose will provide short-term added protection for infants who are otherwise vulnerable during this time of increased risk of exposure. Infants who receive this additional early dose of vaccine will still be required to receive the two routinely recommended doses at 12 months of age and between four and six years of age.
• Children age four and older, who are attending daycare and schools within the effected zones and who have not yet received their second dose of measles vaccine, are advised to do so as soon as possible.
• Children and adults who have already received both doses of the measles vaccine as per the routine immunization schedule, do not require any additional doses of vaccine.
• Albertans uncertain of their immunization history can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
Additional drop-in measles immunization clinics are available in Calgary at the following times and locations:
• Northgate Measles Immunization Clinic: A#154, 495 – 36 St. NE Calgary
• May 7 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• South Calgary Health Centre: Third floor, 31 Sunpark Plaza SE Calgary
• May 6 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• May 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Brentwood Village Mall: Unit 302, 3630 Brentwood Rd. NW Calgary
• May 8 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• May 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The measles vaccine is also available at Polaris Travel Clinic and Pharmacy in Airdrie, however, there will be a $50 fee per person as the clinic is outside of AHS.
To make an appointment or for more information, contact the clinic at 403-980-8747.
For more information on measles in Alberta, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/measles
