Locals potentially exposed to measles in Edmonton area

Local residents who travelled to Nisku, Sherwood Park or Edmonton between May 9 to 17 should watch for measle symptoms. Alberta Health Services issued an advisory Monday after someone with a lab-confirmed case of the contagious, airborne virus visited several locations in and around the Edmonton area.

“The main concern would be for people who were at those exposures listed in Edmonton who did not have two doses of measles vaccine or who had not had documented measles in the past,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Digby Horne.

The dates and exposure locations are as follows:

May 9: Sherwood Park Mall, 2020 Sherwood Dr., Sherwood Park; 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

May 9: Smilie’s Village restaurant, 981 Fir St., Sherwood Park, 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.

May 10: Oscar’s Pub, 221 Chippewa Rd., Sherwood Park, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

May 10: Sherwood Park Mall, 2020 Sherwood Dr., Sherwood Park; 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

May 11: Sherwood Park Mall, 2020 Sherwood Dr., Sherwood Park; 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

May 11: Smilie’s Village restaurant, 981 Fir Street, Sherwood Park; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

May 15: Shoppers Drug Mart, #500 2020 Sherwood Dr., Sherwood Park; 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

May 16: Carmacks Construction 701 25 Ave., Nisku; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

May 16: Strathcona County Health Centre emergency department, 2 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park; 8 p.m. until May 17, 5:30 p.m.

May 17: University of Alberta Hospital emergency department, 8440 112th St., Edmonton; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

People who attended these locations are encouraged to watch for symptoms like a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius (100.3 F) or higher, a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and a red blotchy rash. AHS says to watch for the symptoms three weeks after the start of a fever, as they may occur three to seven days after a fever starts.

Dr. Horne says there is a one per cent chance of someone getting the measles after two immunization shots. He says outbreaks usually occur because of people not getting vaccinated.

“Everyone born 1970 or later should have two doses of measles vaccine on their immunization records. Particularly, because there are outbreaks happening all over the world it’s important for travellers to be immunized.”

Immunization services are offered in Lloydminster at facilities such as Prairie North Plaza and any Shoppers Drug Mart.