Alberta appoints interim chief medical officer of health as province grapples with measles outbreaks

The Alberta government appointed Dr. Sunil Sookram as interim chief medical officer of health Thursday amid growing measles outbreaks and after the previous top doctor left the role earlier this week.

Sookram takes over for Dr. Mark Joffe, whose contract ended on Monday, after it had been extended for two weeks. Premier Danielle Smith confirmed this week that Joffe left of his own accord. He had been the province's top doctor since 2022.

In a statement, the province said Sookram's temporary appointment ensures continuity while arrangements are finalized for a longer-term replacement. More information will be shared in the coming weeks as the process progresses, the province said.

Sookram is currently the facility medical director and chief of medical staff at Strathcona Community Hospital in Sherwood Park. He is also a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta and practises as an emergency physician at the University of Alberta Hospital, the province says.

"I'm happy to serve as Alberta's interim chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with the government, my colleagues and health partners to promote and protect the health of all Albertans," Sookram said in a statement.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Sookram has served Albertans through his career in emergency medicine and he brings a wealth of experience to the role.

"I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity on a temporary basis as we work to finalize the candidate for the interim chief medical officer of health position. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark Joffe for his service and dedication over the past three years," LaGrange said in a statement.

Measles cases continue to climb

There were six new cases of measles in Alberta reported on Thursday: four in the central zone, one in the Calgary zone and one in the south zone.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to date to 89. Of those, 83 individuals are now past the period of communicability, the province says.

Measles symptoms include:

• High fever.
• Cough.
• Runny nose.
• Red eyes.
• A blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts.

Albertans are advised to call Health Link at 811 if they have measles symptoms or think they've been exposed, before visiting a hospital, clinic or health care providers such as pharmacists.

For more information about measles, visit the province's website.