Potential measles exposure on flight to YYC, airport, Taber ER and pharmacy

Alberta Health Services has issued a warning about yet another confirmed case of measles in southern Alberta.

A case of measles has been confirmed in southern Alberta, the province’s health authority says.

Alberta Health Services says the case is a visitor to the Taber area, and that there are multiple locations where exposure to others might have occurred, at several dates and times.

The locations, dates and times of potential exposure include:

• Flair Airlines flight F8629 from Pearson International Airport to Calgary International Airport on March 8 between 9:12 p.m. (EST) and 11:57 p.m. (MST);
• Calgary International Airport and YYC Budget Car and Truck Rental between 11:55 p.m. on March 8 and 2 a.m. on March 9;
• Taber Health Centre Emergency Department on March 11 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.;
• Taber Shoppers Drug Mart on March 11 between 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and
• Taber Health Centre Emergency Department between 10:15 p.m. on March 12 and 10:50 a.m. on March 13.

AHS notes “measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air.”

In a release issued Tuesday, AHS says “anyone who attended these locations at these times who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is at risk for developing measles.”

The provincial health authority suggests anyone who may have been exposed “review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.”

Symptoms include, according to AHS:

• Fever of 38.3 C or higher;
• Cough, runny nose and red eyes; and
• A red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

Those with symptoms are advised by AHS to call Health Link (811) before attending clinics, pharmacies, etc.