Health officials with AHS are sharing their concerns about measles as cases are on the rise across Alberta.
AHS advises anyone showing signs of measles to stay home to call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
In a Facebook post, AHS lists several instances of exposure at ER departments including at the Stollery Children’s Hospital on Mar. 14 for over two hours.
Symptoms to watch for are:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher
- Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes
- A red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs
Of the cases reported on the AHS website, one includes Flair Airlines Flight No. F8629 on March 8, from Toronto to Calgary. AHS estimates the exposure time period to be 4 hours 45 minutes.
People born in or since 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection. Those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine AND are pregnant, under one year of age, are adults and/or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles.
AHS recommends if you are unsure of your immunization history, or that of your child text ‘vaccine record’ to 88111, call Health Link at 811 or your local public health office.
Albertans can also text ‘Measles’ to 88111 to get measles health information texted to your mobile device.
Anyone who is not up to date for their recommended vaccines can receive them by booking an appointment with your local public health office.
At this time, there are no active health advisories for the AHS Central Zone which includes Lloydminster. Also, there are no updates listed on the SHA website concerning Lloydminster. However, exposure risks have been listed for Swift Current up to March 14.
