Measles exposure advisory issued for Parkland County

PARKLAND COUNTY -- A standing measles exposure advisory has been issued for Parkland County.

According to the province, all individuals living, working, or attending school in Parkland County are advised to be aware of the current risk for measles disease. They also note that anyone who was born in or after 1970 and has fewer than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, or has never had measles disease, may be at risk for developing measles and may be asked to take additional precautions if presenting to a health care facility.

They should monitor for symptoms of measles and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records. Measles is an extremely contagious disease, and the virus spreads easily through the air. Symptoms of measles include:

• Fever of 38.3° C or higher.
• Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes.
• A rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.

If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any health care facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.

The region had previously experienced measles exposures in Spruce Grove at the Tri Wellness MD Centre (Suite 100, 7 Tri Leisure Way) on Monday, Feb. 2, from approximately 10:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. An exposure warning was also issued at Mint Pharmacy -- which is located next to the Tri Wellness MD Centre -- during the same time frame.