Alberta is seeing a slowdown in the surge of measles cases, though health experts are warning about the potential for another rapid increase as children return to school. The outbreaks in the province have raised significant concerns, surpassing the total case counts for the entire United States in July.
Alberta has consistently reported more measles cases on a weekly basis than any other province in Canada, as indicated by the Public Health Agency of Canada. While the number of new confirmed measles cases has been decreasing since reaching a peak in July, seven additional cases were reported over the recent long weekend in the north zone, bringing the total identified cases since the outbreaks began in March to 1,826.
Dr. Karina Top, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, noted that there are still measles cases in the province, but the rate of new cases is on the decline, which is a positive development. The recent decrease is attributed to a higher number of people getting vaccinated earlier in the summer and the efforts of public health in promoting vaccination.
Currently, one person is hospitalized due to measles, with a total of 152 Albertans having been hospitalized since the outbreaks began, including 15 ICU admissions. No deaths have been reported this year.
Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, emphasized the risks associated with measles, including severe complications like pneumonia and brain swelling. With children returning to school and spending more time indoors in close contact, there is concern about a potential resurgence in cases.
Infectious diseases tend to spread more easily indoors, especially with the highly contagious nature of measles, which can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Dr. Top emphasized the importance of ensuring families are up-to-date with immunizations and keeping sick children at home to prevent further spread.
Data from 2024 shows that measles vaccination rates among young children in Alberta were below the recommended threshold of 95% for herd immunity. The province highlights that two doses of the measles vaccine provide nearly 100% protection, with the majority of confirmed cases occurring among individuals who are not immunized.