AHS warns of ‘widespread’ potential for measles exposure in province’s South Zone

Alberta Health Services has issued a standing measles exposure advisory for the entire south health zone, because of the rapid spread of the disease.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is issuing a blanket warning for potential measles exposures in Alberta’s southern health zone due to a significant number of cases.

On Friday, AHS announced a standing measles exposure advisory for the South Zone, effective immediately and until further notice.

AHS said the high case count, which includes people with no known exposure source, indicates underreporting of measles and a “widespread potential exposure risk to all communities in the zone.”

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This advisory will replace the use of individual exposure warnings for specific locations.

“All individuals living, working, or attending school in, or travelling to, the South Zone are advised to be aware of the significant current risk for measles disease and ensure immunizations are up to date,” AHS said in a news release.

Anyone in the South Zone born in or after 1970 who has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is at risk, according to AHS.

Those who fit that description are encouraged to monitor for symptoms of measles and review their immunization records.

Alberta confirmed 22 more cases of measles on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 560. The South Zone accounts for 408 of those cases.

Of the new cases, 19 were in the South Zone, one was in the Central Zone and two were in the North Zone.

The South Zone includes communities like Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Pincher Creek and Oyen, among many others.

Visit AHS’s website for more information about measles cases and immunization.