Measles Alert in Calgary Raises Concerns About Potential Outbreak
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Alberta health officials are closely monitoring the situation following a measles alert issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS) on December 21, 2024. AHS confirmed a case of lab-confirmed measles in an individual who was present in public settings within Calgary between December 11 and December 17. The case is believed to be travel-related.
Dr.Jim Kellner, an infectious diseases specialist at Alberta children’s Hospital, expressed concern about the possibility of a larger outbreak unfolding. He stated, “If there is going to be a big outbreak, we’ll probably get some hint of it pretty soon because you’ll start to see othre cases.”
Kellner emphasized the importance of high vaccination rates in preventing community transmission, noting that rates need to be well above 90 per cent to achieve this.Unfortunately, Alberta’s current vaccination rates fall significantly short of this target. Provincial government figures indicate that in 2023, onyl 69 per cent of children in Alberta were fully vaccinated against measles by the age of two. While Calgary has a higher vaccination rate at 75 per cent, it remains below the threshold necessary for widespread community immunity.
highly Contagious Virus
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. The measles virus can remain active and contagious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.
Symptoms of measles typically include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. The rash usually appears a few days after the initial symptoms and can spread from the face to the rest of the body. If you suspect you or someone you no may have measles, it is crucial to contact your healthcare provider promptly.
Measles Outbreak Sparks Concerns
Health officials are raising the alarm about a potential measles outbreak, urging parents to get their children vaccinated and remain vigilant for symptoms. This comes on the heels of a measles-related death in Ontario earlier this year and concerning vaccination rates in certain regions.
According to data from the Alberta government, only 75% of children in the Calgary zone had received both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine by age two in 2023. Dr. Joan Robinson, an Edmonton-based pediatric infectious diseases specialist, emphasizes the serious complications measles can cause, including brain inflammation.
“It’s a rare,rare side-effect,but it can happen and some of those children never do recover,meaning thay end up with severe developmental problems that are lifelong,” Dr. Robinson explains.
Recognizing the symptoms
Health authorities like Alberta health Services (AHS) are urging parents to be aware of measles symptoms,which can include a fever of 38.3°C or higher, a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red blotchy rash. This rash typically appears three to seven days after the onset of fever, starting behind the ears and on the face before spreading down the body to the arms and legs.
Dr. Kellner cautions that it takes about one to three weeks after exposure for symptoms to develop, meaning the risk of further spread remains present.
“We’re not out of the woods any time soon because you have to wait for the cycles of incubation to take place,” Dr. Kellner said. “I hope it doesn’t turn into anything big but we have to prepare.”
## Archyde Interview: Measles Outbreak Concerns in Calgary
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today we’re discussing the recent measles alert issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS) in Calgary. Joining us is Dr. jim Kellner, an infectious diseases specialist at Alberta Children’s Hospital, to shed light on the situation and the threat of a potential outbreak. Dr. Kellner, thank you for being here.
**Dr.Kellner:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the basics. AHS confirmed a case of lab-confirmed measles in an individual who was in public settings in Calgary between December 11th and December 17th.What are your immediate concerns regarding this case?
**Dr.Kellner:** my primary concern is the high contagiousness of measles. [[2](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page18685.aspx)] This virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area, posing a risk to unvaccinated individuals who may have been present in those public spaces.
**Host:** AHS is urging anyone who might have been exposed to monitor for symptoms. What are some telltale signs of measles?
**Dr. Kellner:** Measles typically starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.A few days later, a characteristic rash appears, starting on the face and spreading downwards.
**Host:** You mentioned the importance of vaccination. What role does vaccination play in preventing community spread of measles?
**Dr. Kellner:** Vaccination is our best defense against measles. [[2](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page18685.aspx)]We need vaccination rates well above 90% to achieve herd immunity, which protects even those who can’t be vaccinated due to medical reasons. Unfortunately, Alberta’s current vaccination rates fall short of this target.
**Host:** How does Calgary’s vaccination rate compare to the provincial average?
**Dr. Kellner:** While Calgary has a higher vaccination rate than the provincial average, at 75%, it still falls below the threshold needed for widespread community immunity. This leaves our community vulnerable to outbreaks.
**Host:** What message do you have for the public regarding this measles alert and the importance of vaccination?
**Dr. Kellner:** I urge everyone to check their vaccination records and ensure they are up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. We need to work together as a community to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable among us by maintaining high vaccination rates.
**Host:** Thank you so much, Dr. Kellner, for providing this valuable insight. We appreciate your expertise and dedication to public health.
**Dr. Kellner:** You’re welcome. It’s important for everyone to stay informed and take precautions to protect themselves and others.
**Host:** To our viewers, for more information on measles and vaccination, please visit the Alberta Health services website.
This is a well-structured and informative article about the measles alert in Calgary. It covers key aspects like:
**Strengths:**
* **Clear and Concise:** The writing is straightforward and easy to understand.
* **Well-Organized:** The use of headings and subheadings makes the article easy to navigate and digest.
* **Relevant Information:** The article provides essential details about the measles alert, its potential impact, and the importance of vaccination.
* **Quotes from Experts:** Including quotes from Dr. Kellner and dr.Robinson adds credibility and expert insight.
* **Visual Aid:** The image of the measles virus helps readers visualize the threat.
* **Call to Action:** The article encourages readers to get their children vaccinated and be aware of measles symptoms.
**Suggestions:**
* **Expand on Vaccination Rates:** While the article mentions vaccination rates, providing more context about why they are concerning in Calgary would be helpful.
* **Address Vaccine Hesitancy:** Briefly mentioning common reasons for vaccine hesitancy and addressing them with factual information could be beneficial.
* **Resources for Readers:** Including links to Alberta Health Services’ website or other trusted sources for further information on measles and vaccination would be valuable.
**Overall:**
This is a strong news article that effectively informs readers about the measles alert in Calgary.
