‘An extremely contagious disease’: Confirmed measles case Calgary’s second in a month, AHS says
While infected with the disease, a person with a confirmed measles case visited various locations around Calgary from March 26 to 29, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said Saturday.
The individual is a Calgary resident who was travelling internationally, said Dr. Karla Gustafson, medical officer of health with AHS Calgary Zone.
If you visited the Peter Lougheed Centre and other clinics (listed below) in Calgary over the past five days, you might have been exposed to measles.
What you can do
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People exposed to the extremely contagious disease on Friday, March 29 who do not have a history of receiving any measles vaccines will be offered preventative immunizations on April 1 at Brentwood Village Mall AHS Immunization Clinic from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
People exposed before Friday are not eligible for a preventative vaccine but are encouraged to review their immunization history and call Health Link at 811 for advice.
In addition, AHS said anyone who visited the locations at the times listed who was born after 1970, and have either not already had measles or have not received two doses of the vaccine, could be at risk of developing the disease.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and a red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts. The rash begins behind the ears and on the face, then spreads down the body to the arms and legs, AHS said.
If symptoms develop, people should stay home and call Health Link before visiting healthcare facilities.
“Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air,” an AHS news release said. “There is no treatment for measles, however, it can be prevented through immunization.”
Gustafson said receiving immunization is the best way to protect against the virus.
“It’s very contagious, and that’s why we want the public to know about any chance they might’ve had to be exposed,” she said, “and to seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they become unwell.”
Gustafson advised travellers to check advisories before embarking and ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
This isn’t the first measles warning for the area this month.
On March 14, AHS warned that a person with a lab-confirmed case of measles visited places from a Cochrane Tim Hortons to a concert hall at Calgary’s Mount Royal University between March 5 and March 12.
Exposure areas and time frames
March 26
Peter Lougheed Centre, emergency department — 7 a.m to 6:40 p.m.
March 27
Peter Lougheed Centre, outpatient waiting room — 10:50 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Peter Lougheed Centre, outpatient laboratory — 3 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
McKnight Village Clinic, located at 5426 Falsbridge Drive N.E. — 6:30 a.m. to 8:35 a.m.
McDonald’s at 2680 52nd Street N.E. — 7 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
March 28
Beddington Clinic, located at #209 8120 Beddington Blvd N.W. — 7:15 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
Sunridge Clinic, located at #3 2681 36 Street N.E. — 3:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
March 29
Peter Lougheed Centre emergency department — 6:20 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
Peter Lougheed Centre outpatient waiting room — 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
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