South Zone moves into standing measles advisory as cases grow out of control

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on May 24, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Due to the ongoing and growing number of measles cases within the South Zone, Alberta Health Services has placed a standing measles exposure advisory on the region.

There are a significant number of cases, explained AHS, including several that do not have a known source of infection. This indicates that the number of infectious individuals is underreported, and posting site-specific advisories is not accurately indicating the risk.

All individuals living, working, or attending school in, or travelling to, the South Zone are advised to be aware of the significant current risk for measles disease, and ensure immunizations are up to date, said AHS. Anyone in the South Zone born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, is at risk for developing measles.

While measles is extremely infectious, the measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications.

In Alberta, measles vaccines are offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. The recommended schedule for measles immunization is two doses, the first at 1 year of age and the second at 18 months.

At this time, those who live, work or travel to the South Zone are also currently eligible for additional immunizations.

Infants who are six months up to and including 11 months of age are recommended to receive an early dose of vaccine. However, they should still receive their routine two doses after they reach 1 year of age. Additionally, those who were born before 1970 and were not immunized are strongly encouraged to talk to their health-care provider about receiving a single dose of the vaccine.

Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can check eligibility and/or book an appointment by calling the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434.

In the event of a suspected exposure to measles where the individual is unvaccinated, they may be able to receive immunization to reduce the risk of infection. A dose of vaccine needs to be given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent measles.

Those under one year of age, people with severely weakened immune systems, and those who are pregnant may be able to receive immunoglobulin within six days of exposure to prevent disease.

In the event that symptoms of measles develop, residents are urged to stay home and to call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.

Symptoms of Measles include a fever of 38.3C or higher, cough, runny nose and/or red eyes and a rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts. This rash usually begins behind the ears and on the face and spreads down to the body and then to the arms and legs.

The rash is often red and blotchy on lighter skin colours, but on darker skin colours it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.

Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death. Persons who are pregnant, less than 5 years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of severe outcomes.

The measles hotline will connect callers with an expert who can assist with accessing immunization records, offer general information, provide advice for those experiencing measles symptoms and are feeling unwell and assist with finding the best way to get immunized.

For the latest information on measles in Alberta, visit ahs.ca/measles.

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