Public alert for measles exposure in Calgary issued by province

The province issued a public alert for measles exposure Friday night.

A public alert for measles exposure was issued by the province late Friday afternoon.

Just after 5 p.m., the province issued its statement, saying that anyone who was in the main floor area of the Shawnessy Super 8 Hotel at 60 Shawville Rd. S.E. at a number of specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles.

The exposure took place between May 7 and May 10 in the following time periods:

• May 7: 3 - 11 p.m.
• May 8: 1 - 9 p.m.;
• May 9: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.; and
• May 10: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Anyone who was at this location who was born in or after 1970, who has received fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine or has never had measles before may be at risk and asked to take precautions if visiting a healthcare facility.

Symptoms include running a fever of 38.3 C or higher, a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and a rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.

According to the province, the rash starts behind the ears and on the face before spreading to the body and then the arms and legs in a red and blotchy patch on lighter skin colours.

On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it.

The measles vaccine is offered free of charge.

For more information, call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434. Albertans can check their child’s immunization history, eligibility and book an appointment at the same number.

For more on measles in Alberta, go here.