Alberta Health Services has issued the following as precautions advised after a confirmed case of measles in the Lethbridge area.
Dear Parent / Guardian and Staff:
Re: Measles in Lethbridge Area
There has been a confirmed case of measles disease in the Lethbridge
area.
Measles is an illness caused by a virus that is spread easily through
the air, and is very contagious to persons who have not had the disease
in the past or have not been vaccinated. Measles tends to be more
severe in infants, young children and adults.
There is no treatment for measles disease. It can be prevented through
immunization.
The last measles outbreak in the Lethbridge area was in 1997; thus, most
children 16 years of age and younger who are not vaccinated will not
have natural immunity.
There is high probability that measles disease will spread in Southern
Alberta over the next weeks and possibly months.
People who have not been vaccinated, or who have not previously had
measles, can develop disease within 7 to 21 days of exposure to a
contagious case.
What you can do to protect yourself, your family and the public:
1. PLEASE WATCH FOR ILLNESS:
If you develop any of the symptoms listed below, BEFORE you visit a
medical clinic or hospital, CALL a Health Link Alberta nurse at
1-866-408-5465
or call your local physician. This will help reduce the potential risk
of spreading the disease to others.
Symptoms of Measles - ALL of the following:
· Fever of 38.3° C (100° F) or higher.
· Cough, runny nose or red eyes.
· Red blotchy rash appears 3 to 7 days after the fever starts,
beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body
and then to the arms and legs.
2. If you or your child develops symptoms, please keep your child
home for at least 4 full days after rash starts.
3. If you or your child has been exposed to a known case of measles,
and you are not vaccinated; please keep your child home for 21 days.
Isolate them from all activities to prevent spreading illness to others.
4. Immunization is the only method to protect your child from acquiring
measles disease and the possible complications of measles.
Immunization details:
a. There will be additional immunization clinics held by Alberta Health
Services.
b. During this time of increased risk of measles transmission in the
community, Alberta Health Services is offering one dose of measles
containing vaccine to infant ages 6 to 12 months.
c. If you are uncertain of your child’s immunization status, please
contact your local Public Health office.
If you have any questions, please call a Health Link Alberta
nurse at 1-866- 408- 5465.
Sincerely,
Vivien Suttorp, MD, MPH, CCFP, FCFP
Lead Medical Officer of Health
Alberta Health Services –
Go to
www.albertahealthservices.ca/influenza
to find clinic locations and times. Cardston locations listed below:
