Alberta Health Services (AHS) is notifying the public of a person with confirmed measles in the north zone has been in a public setting while infectious.
Individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:
Location:
Grande Prairie Airport between July 19 from 5 a.m. – 8 a.m. and on July 22 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Also anyone on WestJet flight WS3178 to Calgary July 19 and WestJet flight WS3195 from Calgary on July 22 may have been exposed.
Anyone who attended these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.
AHS said they should monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease and the virus spreads easily through the air.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher; and
- Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
- A rash that appears 3 to 7 days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.
Complications of measles can include ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, premature delivery, and rarely death.
Persons who are pregnant, less than 5 years of age, or have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of serious complications.
If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
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