Experts urge Albertans to check measles vaccine status after confirmed Edmonton case
A confirmed case of measles in Edmonton has prompted another plea from health officials for people to make sure vaccinations are up to date.
"Because measles is so very transmissible, you need very high levels of protection to reduce the risk of breakthrough infection and going forward transmission in the community," infectious disease specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
"It's not harmful to get a dose if you're not sure [if you've been vaccinated.]"
Measles will often start with cold-like symptoms -- a running nose, itchy eyes and fever before the tell-tale rash appears.
The initial symptoms are when you're most contagious.
Officials say while the majority of people who get measles will be okay -- there's a risk for brain injury and even death.
There's also concern over the impact a measles outbreak could have on an already strained health care system.
"It will impact access to surgeries for every Albertan. It'll impact access to hospital care, cancer care you name all the components of the health care system that we're already having some difficulty and struggling with, it’ll make it infinitely worse," Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Paul Parks said.
The most recent data from Alberta Health from 2022 shows an 82 per cent coverage rate against measles.
Saxinger says that's not enough.
"Eighty per cent sounds OK. But for this particular disease, it is simply not enough. So I think that we would have real concerns that there could be pockets of under-vaccinated, under-protected people where this could spread."
A spokesperson says the 2023 data won't be made public until sometime this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”