Public health alert issued after confirmed measles case in Taber area
Somya Lohia,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Alberta Health Services has confirmed a case of measles in a visitor to the Taber area, prompting a public health alert.
According to the health advisory, the infected individual visited several public locations across Alberta, raising concerns about potential exposure to the disease.
AHS has shared the locations that were visited by the individual while contagious, and approximate exposure times.
As per the advisory, the individual boarded Flair Airlines Flight F8629 on March 8, travelling from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Calgary International Airport between 9:12 p.m. (EST) and 11:57 p.m. (MST).
That same night, the individual was in Calgary International Airport and the Budget Car and Truck Rental facility from 11:55 p.m. on March 8 to 2 a.m. on March 9.
The following week, on March 11, the individual visited the Taber Health Centre emergency department between 5:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., and also spent time at the Taber Shoppers Drug Mart between 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The individual returned to the Taber Health Centre emergency department on March 12 about 10:15 p.m. and remained there until 10:50 a.m. on March 13.
AHS advises anyone who was present at these locations during the specified times and who has received fewer than two doses of the measles-containing vaccine to be alert for symptoms.
People born in or after 1970 and who are not adequately vaccinated may be at risk of contracting the disease, it alerted.
Symptoms of measles include a fever above 38.3 C, along with a cough, a runny nose and red eyes. A red blotchy rash typically appears three to seven days after the fever begins, often starting behind the ears and on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the arms and legs.
Anyone who develops symptoms of measles is urged to stay home and contact Health Link at 811 before visiting any health-care facility. This is particularly important to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease to others.
For further information on measles and vaccination, visit the Alberta Health Services website at ahs.ca/measles.
Somya Lohia,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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