Following a confirmed case of measles in Calgary and a recent measles outbreak in British Columbia, Alberta Health Services is reminding Albertans of the importance of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination.
Dr. Gerry Predy, AHS Medical Officer of Health, said there are pockets of the province where Alberta reports low vaccination rates, which puts non-immunized individuals in these areas at increased risk for certain diseases, including measles.
“With the outbreak of measles in B.C. and the knowledge that we now have a confirmed case in Alberta, we need to be proactive to prevent further spread,” said Dr. Predy. “We strongly encourage parents to ensure their children are up to date with all immunizations.”
Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health, AHS South Zone, says southwest Alberta is one of the areas with low immunization rates.
Because of these low rates, the area has experienced both mumps and whooping-cough outbreaks over the past two years. In 2000, the Lethbridge area had a significant measles outbreak, which forced the closure of a private school.
“It’s been 10 years since our last measles outbreak, which means there’s 10 years worth of children who aren’t immune by natural exposure. If these kids aren’t immunized or up to date on their vaccine schedule they are at high risk of contracting measles,” says Dr. Suttorp.
The latest numbers from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control show 71 confirmed cases of measles. Dr. Predy added there is a good chance measles will reach our area because it spreads easily and people travel frequently between provinces. In the B.C. outbreak, non-immunized children under five years of age were most affected. In Alberta, MMR is a two-dose vaccine with the first immunization at 12 months and the second between four and six years.
Measles is a highly-contagious disease that begins with a fever and cough. Within days, a rash appears around the face, chest and limbs. It causes swelling in the brain in one in 1,000 cases and is fatal in one in 3,000 cases.
Call a local public health office to book MMR immunizations. For more information about measles and MMR vaccine, contact HealthLink Alberta at 1.866.408.LINK (5465).
“Measles is spread not only by coughing and sneezing but also by air currents across a room,” said Dr. Predy. “Because this is an airborne disease, it is very contagious. Unlike pertussis or influenza, measles can survive in the air. You don’t have to get sneezed on to get measles.”