Alberta Health Services says it has confirmed a case of measles in the Edmonton area. The case of measles occurred in an Albertan who recently travelled outside Canada.

Officials say they are now in the process of following up with individuals who may have been in close contact with the ill person.

"This individual arrived in Edmonton on an Air Canada flight from Vancouver on the evening August 15, therefore the people on the flight will have been exposed to the measles virus," said Dr. Marcia Johnson, medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services.

"The people at the highest exposure, those on the plane will be asked if they're not immunized or at higher risk to stay home for the next two weeks, definitely not spend time around infants or anyone who is immuno-compromised."

Alberta Health Services says the following groups may have been exposed to the ill person and are asked to contact HealthLink Alberta at 780-408-5465 as soon as possible.

The groups include:

  • Any passengers on Air Canada flight AC244 on Monday, August 15, 2011, which departed Vancouver International Airport at 4:30 p.m. and arrived at Edmonton International Airport at 6:53 p.m.
  • Anyone in the Edmonton International Airport Air Canada baggage claim area on Monday, August 15, 2011, from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Officials say in the past decade, measles in Alberta has often been related to international travel or exposure in Canada to ill people who have travelled. Countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia, including India, as well Quebec, are currently experiencing measles outbreaks.

"The measles occurred in an unimmunized individual who had been travelling in Asia," said Johnson.

The unimmunized passenger is from Edmonton and is expected to recover.

Alberta Health Services is defending the delay in issuing this notice saying officials have been working on it since they were notified.

"We were not informed of the occurrence of this case until the end of last week. There have been other exposed people that we have been working to contact all weekend," said Johnson.

Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It causes:

  •   Fever
  •   Runny nose
  •   Cough
  •   Rash all over the body. The rash typically begins behind the ears and on the face, spreading down to the body, and finally to the arms and legs.

    With files from Kim Taylor