AHS releases public alert about potential measles exposure in Lethbridge
A health advisory notes that a person with a confirmed case was found to be in public on March 28
Alberta Health Services (AHS) released a health advisory on Wednesday night to inform the public about someone with a confirmed measles case having been out in public in Lethbridge last week.
Health officials were notified that someone with a confirmed case in the area around the southern Alberta village of Foremost had visited several public locations in Lethbridge while infectious.
AHS advised that people may have been exposed to measles if they were at the Costco at 3200 Mayor Magrath Drive S. between 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. the Superstore at 3515 Mayor Magrath Drive S. between 5:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and the Boston Pizza at 2041 Mayor Magrath Drive S. from 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m — all on Friday, March 28.
Anyone who may have been present at the locations and times AHS listed, and who were born in or after 1970 and have less than two documented doses of the measles vaccine, is at risk of developing measles.
AHS said it strongly encourages people to review their immunization records and monitor themselves for potential symptoms to the virus. The virus can spread easily through the air.
Measles symptoms include:
- high fever
- cough
- runny nose
- red eyes
- a blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts
The advisory also reminded the public that if they develop measles symptoms, they're advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting a health-care facility.
Free measles immunizations for eligible people can be booked through Health Link at 811 or by contacting your local community health centre.
AHS has a web page dedicated to information on potential exposure locations, advisories and immunization information.
Alberta has recorded 24 measles cases as of noon on April 2, in this current surge. The total includes one new case as of Wednesday in the southern region, which Lethbridge is located in.