Measles outbreaks are occurring in Canada and the USA, likely due to decreased immunization rates following the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles is a very infectious airborne virus that can persists in the air for up to 2h. Measles symptoms include high fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough, head to toe red rash, and in severe cases, can lead to life threatening conditions like pneumonia and encephalitis.
Luckily, vaccinations provide life time protection to the virus. Kids under the age of 9 may have missed routine immunizations for measles due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Babies currently receive measles vaccinations at their 12 and 18 month immunizations.
To book an appointment, or to check if your child has received both of their measles vaccinations, please call Siksika Community Health at 403-734-5664.
Measles Symptoms:
- Measles starts and feels like a cold; a runny nose, watery and irritated eyes, cough, and, fever, are common symptoms for the first 3-7 days.
- After 2-3 days spots may start to appear in the mouth on the cheeks and roof of the mouth, followed by a rash of red spots that starts on the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
- If you are sick and these spots do not appear, the illness is very unlikely to be measles.
Measles can also cause:
- Ear infections
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis (swelling of the brain that can cause seizures, brain damage, and often death)
The most at risk are: children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 20, and individuals who are severely immunocompromised.
What to Do if You Think You May Have Measles:
- If you feel like you have a cold or flu, watch for the spots in the mouth or a rash of red spots that start on the head, and, if they appear, call Siksika Health @ 403-734-5664 and ask to speak to a Public Health Nurse for additional guidance. If outside of business hours call 403-734-5720 to leave a message that will be sent to our nurses, or call 811 to speak with a public health nurse with AHS.
- CALL FOR SUPPORT AND STAY HOME! DO NOT go to a doctor’s office, Siksika Health building, or hospital to be assessed unless directed to by the health agency. Measles is extremely infectious, and often can be a serious illness. By calling for help first, you allow health services to implement precautions to keep other people safe while you receive your care.
- If you think you have measles and your situation is urgent and need help, call 911.
- Follow guidance from a public health nurse or doctor regarding your illness.
What Should I Do to Protect Myself from the Measles?
If you know that you have had measles in the past, or know for certain that you have had 2 doses of measles vaccine or, are born before 1970, you are considered immune and do not need to do anything to protect yourself.
If you are born after 1970, or are unsure if you have had 2 doses of measles vaccine, check to see is you have had 2 doses of vaccine.
If you know you have not had 2 doses of measles vaccine, get vaccinated. Siksika Health Services can provide vaccinations, call 403-734-5664 to book an appointment. Otherwise, you can book vaccine appointments through AHS or your local public health agency.
What Should I Do to Protect My Family?
- Encourage adults to check their own vaccine status.
- Ensure your children older than 18 months have had both doses of measles vaccines. Children currently can get their measles vaccines at 12 and 18 months of age.
- If your children do not have 2 doses measles vaccine, or you are unsure if they have received both doses, you can call Siksika Community Health @ 403-734-5664 to check their status and to book vaccine appointments.
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- Kids 9 and under have the lowest rates of measles vaccine as vaccination efforts were disrupted during the covid-19 pandemic. Please ensure your child is up to date.
- Infants under 1 year of age receive some immunity from their mothers if their mothers have been fully vaccinated.
Additional Measles Info:
Vaccines are extremely effective at preventing measles cases. Even one dose provides immunity 85-95% of the time, 2 doses provide immunity almost 100% of the time.
Measles is the most infectious virus known to impact humans.
The measles virus is airborne, and can remain in the air for up to 2h after the infected person has left the area. People entering that same space can catch the virus if they are susceptible.
Measles is a respiratory illness, that usually starts like a cold, and is characterized by a rash that occurs about 3-7 days after symptoms start.
Approximately 10-20% of measles cases require hospitalization.
