Alberta Measles Outbreak: A Detailed Look at the Origins and Response

Introduction

Good morning, everyone.

In recent months, Alanne reporter Alanna Smith van de Globe and Mail has documented the outbreak in the province in the province, which is now the worst in North America.

Origins of the Outbreak

This week, newly released documents shed light on how the measles outbreak in Alberta started from a small number of cases and grew exponentially. From Wednesday, there were 1,790 cases in Alberta and growing.

The documents obtained through a freedom of information request provide a glimpse into the early days of Alberta’s outbreak. Cases began to emerge in March, with outbreaks traced back to travelers, a Northern First Nations community, and a Mennonite School, according to the documents.

The outbreak in Canada started in New Brunswick last October before spreading to several other provinces.

Response to the Outbreak

The 432 pages of documents, including internal emails between officials from Alberta Health Services and minutes of emergency aid and provincial measles Task Force meetings, reveal the initial response to the outbreak.

While there was constant communication among senior leaders of AHS and Chief Medical Officer of Health Mark Joffe on how to best reduce transmission, there were delays in implementing safety measures as officials waited for government directives.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Mark Joffe made a statement on April 11 encouraging vaccination and notifications of possible exposure locations, but he was let go shortly after. In a subsequent presentation, Joffe cited “a complete failure of leadership at all levels” and public complacency as contributing factors to the outbreak.

Despite challenges, the government stands by its approach to the outbreak, emphasizing vaccination clinics, eligible vaccines, and an awareness campaign launched in May.

Key Case Studies

One of the first outbreak locations in Alberta was John d’Or Prairie, part of the Little Red River Cree Nation in Northern Alberta. Early cases were linked to a Mennonite wedding in Ontario and possible exposures through domestic and international travel.

Several cases were reported in the Calgary and Edmonton zones, with family members returning from Kenya and attending the Mennonite wedding being among the first confirmed cases. Vaccination rates in some schools were as low as 23%, leading to daily increases in cases.

Despite challenges, there has been a gradual decrease in cases over the past three weeks, signaling progress in containing the outbreak.

Conclusion

As Alberta continues to battle the measles outbreak, it is crucial for officials to remain vigilant and proactive in their response. By learning from the early days of the outbreak and implementing effective strategies, we can work towards preventing future outbreaks and ensuring the health and safety of all Albertans.

This article is a weekly Alberta newsletter written by Alberta Bureau Chief Mark Iype. If you enjoyed this content, consider subscribing to receive more Globe newsletters.