Authorities with the Alberta Health Services have issued an alert over a case of lab-confirmed measles in the City of Calgary.

Officials say the individual visited a number of areas in the city while they were infectious.

Dr. Karla Gustafson, Medical Officer of Health in the Calgary Zone, says the patient is a Calgary resident who contracted the illness while they were outside of North America.

She says the individual went to the Peter Lougheed Centre because they were feeling ill.

"They were seeking medical attention."

Anyone who was in the following areas at the time periods noted below could have been exposed to measles:

March 26:

  • Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Emergency Department
  • Exposure Time Period: 7:00 a.m to 6:40 p.m.

March 27:

  • Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Outpatient Waiting Room
  • Exposure Time Period: 10:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Outpatient Laboratory
  • Exposure Time Period: 3:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
  • Exposure Location: Alberta Provincial Laboratories (formerly Calgary Lab Services)
  • McKnight Village Clinic, 5426 Falsbridge Drive, N.E.
  • Exposure Time Period: 6:30 a.m. to 8:35 a.m.
  • Exposure Location: McDonald’s Restaurant
  • 2680 52nd Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta
  • Exposure Time Period: 7:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.

March 28:

  • Exposure Location: Alberta Provincial Laboratories (formerly Calgary Lab Services), Beddington Clinic, 209-8120 Beddington Blvd N.W.
  • Exposure Time Period: 7:15 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
  • Exposure Location: Alberta Provincial Laboratories (formerly Calgary Lab Services), Sunridge Clinic, 3, 2681-36 Street N.E.
  • Exposure Time Period: 3:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

March 29:

  • Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Emergency Department
  • Exposure Time Period: 6:20 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
  • Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Outpatient Waiting Room
  • Exposure Time Period 09:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

The agency says individuals who were exposed on March 29, in the locations and timeframes noted above, and do not have history of receiving two doses of measles-containing vaccine, will be offered immunization April 1, 2019 at Brentwood Village Mall AHS Immunization Clinic at 302-3630 Brentwood Road N.W. from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as a preventative measure.

Individuals who were exposed on dates before March 29th, are no longer eligible for preventative vaccine; however, they are still encouraged to review their immunization history, and call Health Link for advice.

Additionally, individuals who were in the above locations in the timeframes noted and who were born after 1970, and have not already had measles disease or have not received two doses of measles vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.

These individuals are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles. If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811, before visiting any healthcare facility or provider.

Symptoms of measles include:

  • fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
  • cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
  • a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

"Measles is a virus and it's spread through the air, usually through coughing and sneezing and coming into contact with an infected person," Dr. Gustafson says. "It is very contagious and that is why we want the public to know about any chance they might have had to be exposed and to seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they become unwell."

There is no treatment for measles, however, it can be prevented through immunization.

"Receiving immunization is the best way to protect against measles as there is no treatment for the disease. Those that do receive two doses of the vaccine are considered protected for healthy individuals born after 1970."

Dr. Gustafson says the sick resident is recuperating at home.