Measles: Edmonton cases confirmed
So far in 2025, Canada has seen a significant increase in measles cases and a number of jurisdictions have reported measles outbreaks, including Edmonton and area. Cases of measles have been reported in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and most recently, Alberta. While there are no confirmed measles cases at our school at this time; we feel it is important that parents, students and staff are aware of the health risks of this virus and have access to health resources. Alberta Health Services (AHS) Public Health has set up a measles case tracker on their website. You can access that here: https://www.alberta.ca/measles
Measles is very contagious and is easily spread through the air. Some people who get measles can have serious health problems. Measles is a viral illness. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a blotchy rash. Symptoms usually start 8-12 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to appear. Measles may cause complications including ear infections, pneumonia, seizures, or inflammation of the brain. Complications are more common among children under five years and people who are pregnant or immunocompromised.
Any person with measles symptoms should stay home, avoid contact with others, and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or any healthcare provider.
The best protection against measles is to get immunized. In Alberta, measles-containing vaccines are available free of charge for eligible individuals. Measles vaccines are highly effective. In order to be adequately protected against measles, individuals born in or after 1970 need two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine. The routine childhood immunization program includes two doses of measles containing vaccine. For more information about measles-containing vaccines please go to https://myhealth.alberta.ca/topic/Immunization/Pages/default.aspx or talk to your/your child’s healthcare provider. Parents and guardians can check that their child has received two doses of measles vaccine by calling Health Link at 811 or by contacting their local public health or community health center. Individuals who are 14 years of age and older can check their My Health Record account immunization record.
We will share more information from AHS on measles as it becomes available to us.