Three new measles cases, all linked to Ontario traveller, confirmed in southern Alberta

Three new measles cases have been confirmed in Alberta, pushing the south health zone into outbreak status.

The additional cases, reported midday on Monday, are all in the same household that was visited by an Ontario resident who travelled to the Taber area and tested positive earlier in March, prompting a recent public health alert.

There have now been 17 confirmed cases spanning four provincial health zones, including three in the south zone, two in the Calgary zone, four in the Edmonton zone and eight in the north zone. 

The Ontario resident is not counted in Alberta's total.

Each of those four health zones now have measles outbreaks, meaning there are two or more linked cases in a given zone.

All but one of the Alberta residents who've tested positive so far are under the age of 18. One is between the ages of 35 and 54. No one is currently hospitalized.

Measles is an extremely contagious and potentially dangerous airborne virus.

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According to the province, it can lead to a number of complications — including ear infections, swelling of the brain, and lung infections — and between one and three out of every 1,000 people who are infected will die.

Symptoms include:

• high fever
• cough
• runny nose
• red eyes
• a blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts

"You can get measles just by passing through a room or location where a person who is infected was up to two hours before," the Alberta Health Services (AHS) website states.

Health officials are urging Albertans to ensure they and their children are up-to-date on their measles immunizations, noting more than 90 per cent of people who are not immune to measles and come into contact with it will become infected.

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According to provincial data, 59.6 per cent of children in the south zone who were born in 2021 were fully vaccinated (with two doses) by their second birthday in 2023. The target is 95 per cent.

Even lower rates were reported in localized areas, including the County of Forty Mile at 27 per cent and the Municipal District of Taber which reported 28.4 per cent.

The provincial average in 2023 was 69.3 per cent.

How to get immunized

Alberta Health said there are no plans for additional drop-in immunization clinics in the south zone at this time.

Alberta's routine immunization program recommends children get their first measles dose at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months.

Free measles immunizations for eligible people can be booked through Health Link at 811 or by contacting your local community health centre.

AHS has a web page dedicated to information on potential exposure locations, advisories and immunization information.

And Alberta Health posts updates on measles cases on weekdays at 12:30 p.m. here.

Albertans who are unsure of their immunization history can text "vaccine record" to 88111 or call Health Link (811).

People 14 years of age and older can also check MyHealth Records.