Southern Alberta’s 472 confirmed measles cases ‘tip of the iceberg,’ health official says

Southern Alberta is currently facing its worst measles outbreak in decades, with doctors warning that the virus is more widespread than official case counts suggest. As of midday Wednesday, a total of 628 cases had been confirmed in Alberta since the outbreaks began in March. This marks the highest number of cases reported since 1987 when 690 cases were confirmed.

Craig Jenne, a professor at the University of Calgary, expressed concern about the situation, stating that the outbreak may no longer be controllable in certain parts of the province. The majority of cases, 472 as of Wednesday, are concentrated in the south zone, with the Taber Health Centre emergency department seeing a significant influx of measles patients.

Dr. Eric Leishman, a family physician at the Taber Health Centre, revealed that almost every patient he swabbed for suspected measles tested positive for the virus. He emphasized that the official case counts are only a fraction of the actual number of cases in the community.

A standing measles exposure advisory has been issued for the entire south zone due to the widespread risk of infection. Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the lead medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services in the south zone, highlighted the collaborative efforts of health teams to contain the outbreaks. Measures such as setting up negative pressure rooms in hospitals and opening stand-alone assessment and treatment centers have been implemented to prevent the spread of the virus.

Despite these efforts, confirmed case counts are said to represent only the “tip of the iceberg,” with broader community transmission on the rise. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery, and even death.

The low vaccination rates in certain communities, such as the Municipal District of Taber, are a significant concern. Dr. Leishman described the immunization rates in his community as shockingly low and emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the virus.

The Alberta government has introduced new measures to combat the outbreaks, including an ad campaign, increased vaccine clinic access, and a measles hotline. However, some experts feel that more urgent action is needed to address the situation effectively.

As the outbreaks continue to spread rapidly, health officials are urging all Albertans to ensure their immunizations are up to date. The province is committed to promoting immunization and working with communities to increase vaccination rates. Anyone experiencing measles symptoms is advised to stay home and call the hotline before seeking medical attention.

In conclusion, the measles outbreak in southern Alberta underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. With the support of the community and effective public health measures, it is hoped that the outbreaks can be brought under control in the coming months.