Measles cases continue to climb in Alberta and hotspots are concentrated in the South Zone, followed by the North and Central zones.As of Thursday, out of the 1,376 confirmed cases of the disease, 817 are in the South Zone. In the North Zone, there are 403 cases. In the Central Zone, there are 107 confirmed cases, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).Twenty-five cases across Alberta are considered communicable. Currently, there is one person in hospital, non-ICU. No deaths have been reported.“Due to the number of people in these areas who may not be immune to measles, it’s likely that some cases are going undetected or unreported,” AHS says on its website.“A standing exposure advisory has been issued for the South Zone and areas of the North Zone. Site-specific exposure advisories will no longer be issued in these locations.”.Alberta now has more measles cases than the entire US.AHS says most reported cases are in children under the age of five, and those aged five to 17 who are not immunized.The cases in Alberta have surpassed the total number recorded so far this year in the United States. As of July 8, there were 1,288 cases of measles across 39 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. There have been three deaths and 162 cases that required hospitalization in the US, according to the CDC’s website.Mass immunization programs would be needed to curtail this outbreak due to the large number of cases and the disease’s transmissibility, Dr. Dan Gregson, an infectious disease physician and professor at the University of Calgary, told the Western Standard Tuesday.Immunization has been the strongest defence against measles, the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services told the Western Standard in a statement. It urges all Albertans to check their vaccination records."We are actively promoting vaccination — in fact, we’ve expanded eligibility based on advice from the chief medical officer of health. We're supporting this campaign with all appropriate resources and are seeing a significant increase in Albertans choosing to be vaccinated," reads the statement..Expert warns Alberta's higher rate of measles will coincide with the return to schools in the fall."Alberta’s government takes the current measles situation seriously and continues to closely monitor the outbreak. Public health officials are actively working to limit further spread and support affected individuals and families. The situation is being managed effectively using well-established public health tools. Expanded vaccination clinics, targeted outreach, and clear public health guidance are already in place and showing positive results."AHS has also expanded measles clinics to improve access to immunization."This includes extended hours and additional clinic locations based on local risk and immunization needs across the province — particularly in the South Zone, where immunization rates have been lower," reads the statement.In Alberta, children receive their first dose of the measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second at 18 months of age. Those who receive two doses of the vaccine are considered protected.Residents who are vaccinated should not be concerned about Alberta’s large numbers of measles, according to Gregson. However, those who are not should consider immunization to avoid getting infected, or the need for quarantine over the summer or in the upcoming school year.Measles is extremely contagious. It spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and children less than five years of age are at highest risk of severe complications from the disease. .‘ALBERTA HAS AN OTTAWA PROBLEM ’: Smith, panel hear from the public in Edmonton
