Measles ● Aspikssinn
About Measles
Measles outbreaks are occurring in Alberta. These outbreaks are highly preventable. Blood Tribe members protect themselves and those around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up to date.
Measles can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, seizures, brain swelling, and even death.
Symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- runny nose
- Red eyes
- Body aches
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.
Measles can be dangerous because:
- 1 in 10 people with measles will get middle ear or lung infections
- 1 in 1,000 people with measles will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to seizures, deafness, or brain damage
- 1 to 3 of every 1,000 people with measles will die
How Measles Spreads
Measles is highly contagious – It spreads easily through the air via coughing, sneezing, and sharing items like cups or utensils.
You do not need to be in direct contact with someone who is infected. You can get measles just by passing through a room or location where a person who is infected was up to 2 hours before. The person who is infected does not still need to be there to put you at risk of disease.
Measles can also be spread through coughing, sneezing, yelling, singing and breathing.
Who is most at risk
You can catch measles if you are around someone who has it or if you travel to places where it is spreading — either in Canada or other countries. If you’ve never had measles or haven’t been fully vaccinated, you’re at risk of getting sick. More than 90% of people who aren’t protected will get measles if they’re exposed to the virus.
Those at highest risk of severe complications from measles include:
- children less than 5 years of age
- people with weakened immune systems
- people who are pregnant
If you have measles, you can spread the disease before you show any symptoms. Measles can spread starting 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after the rash appears.
Get Vaccinated
Every Friday, BTDH Community Health hosts Community Immunization Clinics from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Protect yourself and those around you — stay up to date with your vaccines.
Call BTDH Community Health at 403-737-3933 to check your vaccine status or to book an appointment.
Immunization is the best protection – The measles vaccine is 85-99% effective in preventing the disease.
First Nations experience significantly higher hospitalization rates and more severe health outcomes from measles, largely due to factors such as overcrowding and a high prevalence of chronic conditions.
When a large percentage of a population is immune to a disease, either through vaccination or previous infection, this protects individuals who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns and pregnant women.
It is important to check your vaccine status if you are planning to travel in the next couple of weeks, as confirmed cases of measles are being reported throughout Alberta, Canada and the United States.
Measles Vaccine Eligibility
| Age Group | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Infants 6 to 11 months | 1 dose of MMR vaccine |
| Children 12 months up to and including 17 years of age | Routine schedule is 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, though 2 doses can be offered at least 4 weeks apart at any age in this cohort. |
| Adults born in 1970 or later | 2 lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine at least 4 weeks apart. |
| Adults born before 1970 | Adults born before 1970 may be eligible for one dose of the MMR vaccine if: – You have no record of getting a measles vaccine – You have never had measles (confirmed by lab testing) – Or you do not have proof of immunity |