Alberta Health Services (AHS) says there is no record of immunization against measles for the individual who was part of a health advisory warning Cochrane and Calgary residents of possible exposure to the disease.
So far no additional case have been confirmed and this remains the first case of measles in the province. As of the end of February the Canadian Government's measles monitoring site listed 19 other cases of the disease in Canada, most in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Quebec.
Kristin Whitworth, from AHS, said there are no estimates an how many people might have been exposed to the measles. However, she added, since the advisory was issued, Health Link "has been receiving steady calls since our public notification and our trained nurses will continue to assess each call received." Albertans can call 811 for advice and information if they believe they were exposed to the disease.
Immunization rates in the region sit below the Canadian bench mark of 95 per cent and below what is considered the her immunity rate of 90 per cent.
"Immunization coverage rates are assessed by looking at the population that should be immunized by a specific age, and calculating percentage of those in that group that actually are immunized by that age. In 2017, within Calgary Zone, 1 Dose of measles containing vaccine by age two is 89.4%, two doses of measles containing vaccine by age seven is 85.3 per cent."
While measles can be fatal, Whitworth said currently AHS is not panicking about a possible oubreak.
"We are not in an outbreak situation as this is the first Alberta resident case of measles in 2019. An 'outbreak' is a higher than expected number of cases of measles. There is no specific number of cases that would lead us to declare an outbreak. Declaring an outbreak would only occur after discussions with Alberta Health and many factors would need to be considered, including if the cases are localized or in a cluster or widespread," she said.
Whitworth reminds residents vaccination is the best protection against measles.
"Measles is very infectious for individuals who are not vaccinated or were born after 1970, and have not already had measles disease or have not received two doses of measles vaccine," she said.
Measles is a viral disease, it starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body.
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