Experts urge immunization as Alberta measles count passes 300
The province confirmed 313 measles cases as of Thursday
With 16 new measles cases reported in Alberta on Thursday, the province's number of confirmed cases has surged past the 300 mark and currently sits at 313.
These cases — 14 in the south zone and one each in the north and central zones — are the latest in a series of measles outbreaks reported across all five Alberta health zones.
"This is a big problem and it could get out of control quickly," said Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, during a panel discussion on Thursday.
WATCH | Alberta doctors urge people to get vaccinated
The panel, made up of renowned physicians and infectious disease experts, convened to discuss the measles outbreaks happening across the province.
The numbers are the highest the province has seen since 1987, when 690 cases were reported.
"Anyone who hasn't had measles before or is not fully immunized is at risk of getting the disease," said Duggan, referring to the airborne disease as "the most contagious illness in the world."
Vaccination is key
Measles has no cure but is preventable.
"The measles vaccine is safe and it's the best way to protect against it. It's highly effective at preventing infection and complications and is much safer than getting the disease," said Duggan.
"There is now agreement province-wide that we need to drastically increase the number of Albertans vaccinated against measles," she said.
People born before 1970 are likely immune to measles due to being exposed prior to the disease's elimination nearly three decades ago — though one case has been reported in a patient over 55 in Alberta this year.
Youth under the age of 18 are the most likely to be infected, with 163 cases currently reported for youth ages five to 17 and 93 patients under five.
"One dose of the vaccine gives your child 85 to 95 per cent protection in preventing them getting measles and two doses gives almost 100 per cent protection," said Dr. Tehseen Ladha, a pediatrician in Edmonton.
Immunization is typically not recommended for those under 12 months old, but those 6 months and up are eligible for one dose if they live or are travelling to the central, north and south zones, where the lion's share of cases (80, 24 and 193 respectively) have been reported.
"I highly encourage families who have not immunized their children to really prioritize this before they get an exposure," said Ladha, noting that between 10 and 30 per cent of children that contract measles end up hospitalized.
The panel acknowledged that many families may hesitate to have their children immunized due to confusion around the safety of the measles vaccine, some of which may stem from misinformation and disinformation.
"I want to reassure those families that the measles vaccine is safe. It has been thoroughly researched. It has been around for decades and side effects continue to be monitored," said Ladha.
Information on measles and immunization is available on the Alberta Health Services website.
Measles symptoms can include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a red rash appearing three to seven days after the start of the fever.
Of every 1,000 people with measles, one to three will die, according to the Government of Alberta.
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