Lethbridge measles outbreak expected to grow

The number of measles cases in the Lethbridge area has grown to nine, a number that is expected to climb according to Alberta's chief medical officer of health.

"We have done our best, as has AHS (Alberta Health Services) to make people aware of the risk that they're running by not immunizing," Dr. James Talbot said Wednesday.

Immunizations are not mandatory in Alberta, Talbot said, but he's heard lots of excuses from people declining treatment, including "I don't need it because everybody else is getting it so I'm protected."

"Well you know, this situation is exactly the place where that reasoning falls apart," Talbot said.

Talbot said the original case has been traced back to a traveller from the Lethbridge area who recently returned from Holland, site of a measles outbreak.