AHS warns of potential measles exposure in Calgary

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a public alert to potential measles exposure, marking the second lab-confirmed case in Calgary this month.

The warning comes about three weeks after AHS issued a warning that someone with another lab-confirmed case of measles may have exposed members of the public to the illness at several locations in Calgary and Cochrane.

• AHS warns of possible measles exposure at locations in Calgary and Cochrane

In a release, AHS said individuals who were in multiple locations throughout Calgary in the past week may have been exposed to the measles.

March 26:

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

March 27:

• Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Outpatient Waiting Room
  Exposure Time Period: 10:50 a.m. to 4p.m.
  
• Exposure Location: Peter Lougheed Centre Outpatient Laboratory
  Exposure Time Period: 3p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
  
• Exposure Location: Alberta PublicLaboratories (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 at 2680 52nd Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta
  Exposure Time Period: 7a.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: 9a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Individuals who were exposed before March 29 are no longer eligible for preventative vaccine.

AHS is offering immunizations to those who may have been exposed after March 29 and who do not already have two doses of measles-containing vaccine.

They will be offeringimmunization April 1, 2019 at Brentwood Village Mall AHS Immunization Clinic at 302-3630 Brentwood Road NW from 11:00 am to 6:30 p.m.

Second case this month

The second case of measles this month is also Calgary's second case of the virus in 2019. Dr. Karla Gustafson, medical officer of health at Alberta Health Services in Calgary, said both people infected with measles are suspected to have contracted itthroughinternational travel.

"There are increasing number of cases across the globe of measles currently. So there are many travel advisories listing countries experiencing measles outbreak," Gustafson said.

Symptoms

Those who may have been exposed to the measles are asked to monitor themselves for symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• A fever of 38.3C or higher.
• Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes.
• 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.

AHS authorities said if you are experiencing measles symptoms to stay home and call Health Link. There is no treatment for measles, which is spread through the air, but it can be prevented with vaccination.

Alberta Health Services provides vaccines to the public free of charge through its routine immunization program which is delivered out of community health centres.