An underreporting of measles cases has resulted in standing exposure advisories for the south zone and parts of northwestern Alberta.
According to data released by the province, there are 1,340 total cases since the beginning of the outbreak and 21 active cases of measles in the province as of July 16. Active cases refer to people who are still contagious.
“This does not reflect risk in the community as there may be people with undiagnosed measles, nor does it reflect the number of persons who have been exposed to measles,” according to the Government of Alberta data note.
As of July 15, five people are currently hospitalized, including one person receiving intensive care, although this number does not include cases reported from Indigenous Services Canada.
Since the start of the outbreak, there have been 390 cases total in the north zone, 13 in Edmonton, 107 in the central zone, 35 in Calgary, and 795 in the south zone. Most cases have been in people aged 17 or younger who had not received their measles immunization.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that causes a fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a red blotchy rash three to seven days after the start of the fever. People with measles are contagious for several days before symptoms start, and the virus remains airborne for several hours after a contagious person has left.
According to Health Canada, 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to effectively prevent measles outbreaks.
Sarah Hoffman, the NDP Shadow Minister for Health, said the UCP government has let the entire province down through their handling of the measles outbreak.
“We need a full, province-wide measles vaccine campaign. We need a minister that believes in public health and listens to experts. And we need the gag to be taken off public health officials so they can do their jobs,” said Hoffman, referring to the lack of communication by Preventative Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sunil Sookram over the past 50 days.
The routine immunization schedule includes two doses of measles vaccine, typically given at 12 and 18 months. Early immunization is available for infants six months of age and older in the north, central, and south zones.
According to immunization data from the province, 21,183 doses of measles vaccine were administered in June 2025 compared to 16,659 during the same time in 2023 and 14,636 in 2024.
As of June 12, there is a standing exposure advisory for some locations in northwestern Alberta, including the Hamlet of La Crete, the hospital in Fort Vermilion, and the health centre in High Level. A standing exposure advisory means there are cases with no known exposure source “suggesting underreporting and a broader potential risk of measles transmission across the region,” according to the advisory.
A broader advisory applying to all communities in the south zone was published May 23 and has not been rescinded.
