Alberta/CMEDIA: 15 new measles cases have been found in Alberta within 24 hours bringing the total up to 1,065 since March.
14 new cases were seen in the north zone and the south zone saw one new case.
There is currently one person in the ICU because of measles.
Over the weekend AHS recorded 30 new cases being popped with 20 active cases across Alberta, with warnings of more measles exposures in 4 central, northern communities.
A person with a confirmed case of measles was out in public, AHS said, in the north zone at the following locations:
Shoppers Drug Mart, Wapiti Centre, Grande Prairie
- June 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
New Horizon CO-OP, Trader Ridge, Grande Prairie
- June 22 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Anyone who was at the two locations during the specific time frames may have been exposed to measles.
People born in or after 1970 and have less than two documented doses of the measles vaccine may be at risk of developing the highly infectious disease.
Included in the symptoms of measles are: a fever of 38.3 C or higher, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.
Ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and, rarely, death are included in the complications of measles.
In the event of development of the symptoms of measles, AHS advises people to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any health care facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
In case you have been exposed and are not protected against measles, you may be able to receive immunization to reduce the risk of infection.
Within 72 hours of exposure to prevent measles. a vaccine dose needs to be given.
Babies below 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 the disease.
