Internal documents show how Alberta’s outbreak began to get out of hand out of hand
The measles outbreak in Alberta continues to worsen, with the province reporting 1,790 cases as of Wednesday. The outbreak, which started with isolated cases, has now become the worst in North America. Public health measures have been effective in some cases, but the number of cases continues to rise.
The outbreak began in March, with cases appearing in various parts of the province. Outbreaks have been linked to travelers, a northern First Nations community, and a Mennonite school. The outbreak initially started in New Brunswick last October before spreading to other provinces, including Ontario and Alberta.
Internal documents obtained through a freedom of information request shed light on the early days of the outbreak and the government’s response. The documents include emails between Alberta Health Services officials, minutes of emergency aid meetings, and provincial measles task force discussions.
During the early stages of the outbreak, there was limited communication with the public about the severity of the crisis. The government’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Mark Joffe, emphasized the importance of vaccination and public awareness of potential exposure sites.
The documents reveal that senior AHS leaders worked closely with Dr. Joffe to implement measures to reduce transmission, such as contact tracing and targeted health guidance. However, there were challenges in obtaining government approval for certain actions, delaying the response to the outbreak.
Despite criticisms of the government’s handling of the outbreak, press secretary Madison McKee defended Alberta’s approach. She highlighted the province’s vaccination clinics, vaccine distribution efforts, and public awareness campaigns as part of their response strategy.
Early cases of the outbreak were traced back to a Mennonite wedding in Ontario and travel to countries like Kenya, India, and Mexico. The documents also highlighted cases in Calgary and Edmonton, where unvaccinated individuals were infected after exposure to the virus.
The outbreak at Two Hills Mennonite School in Central Alberta quickly escalated, with parents refusing to comply with public health measures. Despite challenges, health officials continued to prioritize the health and safety of the broader population.
In recent weeks, there has been a gradual decrease in new cases, offering hope that the outbreak may be coming under control. The province continues to monitor the situation closely and implement measures to prevent further spread of the measles virus.
