Alberta Health Services issues statement about an individual with measles after attending an event at MRU
By Nathan Woolridge, News Editor
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed that an individual with lab-confirmed measles attended an event at MRU.
The individual attended the Gift of our Wounds event on March 12, 2019, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall on the university’s campus.
On March 14, individuals who attended the event in that time frame and those who have no history of receiving any measles-containing vaccine were encouraged to visit Brentwood Mall AHS Immunization Clinic as a preventative measure.
The call to vaccinate was so that AHS could ensure that they could “immunize those who can still benefit, at this time, from the preventative treatment.”
AHS also released a statement that said, “Individuals who were exposed on dates other than March 12, are no longer eligible for the preventative vaccine; however, they are still encouraged to review their immunization history, and call Health Link for advice or to book an appointment at their local community health centre.”
The individual who had the lab-confirmed measles has also been noted to attend several other places in the city between March 5 and March 12.
“Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles, however, it can be prevented through immunization,” says AHS.
Measles vaccinations are offered free of charge in Alberta due to a publicly-funded immunization program.
AHS says, “Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age and their second dose between the ages of four and six years.”
Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can call Health Link at 811 to discuss. For further information on routine childhood immunization, visit www.immunizealberta.ca.
For additional information on measles disease, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/measles.
