Alberta Health confirms three cases of measles in South Zone

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

• South Zone cases now at outbreak status

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhal Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As of March 24, three cases of measles have been confirmed in the South Zone. All have been linked to an Ontario traveller. 

This latest update means the South Zone is now at outbreak status, meaning two or more linked cases in a given zone. Overall, there are now 17 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta across four health zones – three in the south, two in the Calgary zone, four in the Edmonton zone and eight in the north zone.

According to an official from Alberta Health, patient zero is an Ontario resident who acquired measles in Ontario and was the initial case that led to recent exposure notifications in the Taber area. The three cases, the official says, have all been identified as being within a single household and are confirmed as being linked to the Ontario resident. Two are under the age of 18, and none are currently hospitalized.

The potential for exposure, an advisory from Alberta Health says, began on March 8 on Flair Airlines Flight No. F8629 from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Calgary International Airport, and the exposure time period was from 9:12 p.m. EST to 11:57 p.m. MST and continued on March 9 at Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Budget Car and Truck Rental Calgary International Airport from 11:55 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

From there, Alberta Health says, the potential for exposure continued at the Taber Health Centre Emergency Department on March 11 from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. as well as at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Taber from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on March 12-13 at the Taber Health Center’s Emergency Department from 10:15 p.m. to 10:50 a.m.

“Anyone who attended these locations at these times who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, is at risk for developing measles and is strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles,” stated the advisory. “If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.”

Alberta Health describes measles as being ‘an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air, with the symptoms including a fever of 38.3° Celsius or higher, a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, and begins behind the ears and on the face and spreads down the body and then to the arms and legs.

The measles vaccine, Alberta Health says, is ‘highly effective at preventing infection and complications, and people born in or after 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection, and those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine AND are pregnant, under one year of age, are adults and/or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles, should contact Health Link at 811 promptly if exposed, as they may be eligible for vaccine or immune globulin to reduce their risk of becoming ill.

Vaccines for measles, Alberta Health says, are offered free of charge in Alberta through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program and children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months old, and their second dose at 18 months old.

Alberta Health says that those who are unsure about their immunization information or that of their childrens’ can text  ‘vaccine record’ to 88111, call Health Link at 811 or your local public health office. Albertans, Alberta Health says, can also text ‘Measles’ to 88111 to get measles health information texted to their mobile device, and anyone who is not up to date for their recommended vaccines can receive them by booking an appointment with their local public health office. 

Alberta Health also encourages those seeking additional information on measles to visit: http://www.ahs.ca/measles.

According to provincial vaccination data collated by the CBC, 59.6 per cent of children in the South Zone born in 2021 were fully vaccinated (two doses) by their second birthdays in 2023, while the target is 95 per cent.

Drastically lower rates are being reported in local areas like the County of Forty Mile (27 per cent) and the MD of Taber (28.4 per cent). The provincial average in 2023 was 69.3 per cent.