TWO HILLS - Alberta Health Services (AHS) has released two locations where people may have been exposed to the measles in the Two Hills and Vegreville areas.
AHS released information on April 29 stating it had been "notified of confirmed cases of measles within the Central Zone. These cases have also been in public settings while infectious. Additional locations may be released if necessary."
No specific number was released in the information regarding the number of measles cases currently in the Two Hills region. Lakeland Today has reached out to AHS for this information.
A previous release in early April stated there were 21 cases in the Central Zone, which included at least 13 cases in the Two Hills area, as if April 8.
According to the information from April 29, individuals who were in two specific locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles. Locations include the Two Hills Health Centre Emergency Department on April 24 between 8:09 p.m. and 10:14 p.m.; and St. Joseph's General Hospital in Vegreville on April 24 and 25, between 8:20 p.m. on April 24 and 3:50 a.m. on April 25.
"Anyone who attended these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, is at risk for developing measles. These individuals should self-monitor themselves of symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records," according to AHS.
"Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air."
Symptoms of Measles include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that appears "three to seven days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see," reads the information from AHS.
"Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death. Persons who are pregnant, less than one year of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk," according to AHS.
Individuals who have symptoms are asked to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before they visit a healthcare facility or provider.
"Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program," according to AHS.
