Alberta Health Services is taking action against an outbreak of measles in the province that was declared on Oct. 18.
As of last week, the disease was still contained to the southern part of the province, with 28 cases of the disease confirmed with AHS. The outbreak was determined to have originated from the Netherlands, having been brought back to Alberta when a resident of the south zone returned from a trip.
AHS put in place a strategy intended to prevent the spread of measles so it doesn’t spread across the province. In particular, these measures include increased precautions against the spread of the disease and additional immunization clinics.
“We, in the central zone, are doing as much as we can to prevent the spread of measles into our zone,” says Deena Hinshaw, a medical officer of health for the Central Zone, with AHS.
She adds, “We have worked with other zones across the province to try and get a public message out. We’re working across zones to try and make sure we can respond quickly and get testing done quickly so we know if there’s a case.”
One of the precautions implemented in the central zone is to put on extra measles immunization clinics, and raise awareness about measles and its symptoms. Immunization clinics were held in Two Hills and Lacombe last week, says Hinshaw.
“We are concerned about two places in particular, those being Two Hills and Lacombe, because they have low immunization rates,” says Hinshaw.
She explains that the two communities are of concern because there are people travelling frequently from those areas to southern Alberta, and AHS is worried there could be a spread from the south to central zone.
Measles is a disease that has symptoms that can commonly be mistaken for a simple cold or influenza, and include coughing, red eyes, runny nose, and a fever. The most distinguishing symptoms of the disease, however, are a rash starting around the face and eventually spreading across the body, and a fever of increasing intensity.
Measles is very contagious and potentially life threating, according to the AHS website.
“It can be baffling,” says Hinshaw. “The first symptoms aren’t specific to measles, and can be seen with many viruses and illnesses.”
Measles immunizations are provided free at clinics, through the immunization program, according to an advisory from AHS. In Alberta, vaccinations are typically done in two stages for children. The first dose is given at 12 months, and a second dose between the ages of four and six.
In the event of an outbreak situation, the first stage of vaccination will be offered for children as young as six months to prevent spread of the disease, says Hinshaw. Priority will be given to people who haven’t already been vaccinated.
Hinshaw advises people concerned they have come into contact with the measles, or worried that their children may have, to contact Alberta Health Link at 1-866-408-5465 before visiting any healthcare institution or provider.
According to an advisory from AHS, self-care for measles at home “should include rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking acetaminophen or non-prescription drugs to relieve fever and other symptoms.”
The first Two Hills immunization clinic ran last week on Nov. 15 and another took place yesterday.
