AHS Notification: Measles Awareness
Posted on Jun 6, 2025
June 6, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Measles is spreading—not just in other parts of the world but right here in Alberta. This disease, once rare in Canada thanks to measles vaccines, is now circulating in several areas of our province. It’s a highly contagious illness that spreads quickly, especially in close-knit communities where people gather frequently and where immunization rates are lower.
The reality is measles often hits young children the hardest. Of the 761 confirmed cases of measles in Alberta as of June 5, 576 are in children under the age of 18. We are continuing our ongoing efforts to prevent measles and protect the health and well-being of children in Alberta. I want to thank parents and guardians for doing their part to stay informed and get themselves or their children immunized over the past few months. The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications from disease. As we approach the summer months and increased travel, I want to reiterate that you can protect yourselves, your loved ones and the people around them by ensuring measles immunizations are up to date.
For those who chose not to its important to understand the risk of illness and transmission of measles in Alberta is now at the highest it’s been in 25 years. As health care providers we want to keep you and your family health and safe, but we cannot do that without your help. While getting your measles immunization is the first and most critical thing you can do, it is also important to:
- Stay home when feeling sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Call Health Link at 811 before visiting any hospital, clinic or healthcare provider.
I am also pleased to share several measles resources:
- Measles Hotline: this dedicated hotline is available for all your questions regarding
immunization records, symptoms, or to book an immunization appointment. Call 1-844-944-3434. - Text for vaccine record: to check the immunization record for you or your child, text
“vaccine record” to 88111. This information is also available through the hotline. - Fact sheets: The measles toolkit is available online which includes a Measles 101
and a fact sheet for parents that you may find useful.
More information and additional fact sheets are all available on the measles website:
https://www.alberta.ca/measles.
Rest assured that there are protocols in place if there is a measles case reported at your
school. Direction will be provided by public health staff under the direction of the Medical
Officer of Health on next steps to help reduce the risk of further spread within the school and
broader community.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions related to this letter or measles in general, please call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sunil Sookram
Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health
CMOH Measles Letter June 6, 2025 - PDF
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March 17, 2025
Dear School Parents/Guardians, Staff and Volunteers;
Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks including the United States, Europe and Canada. So far in 2025, Canada has seen a significant increase in measles cases and a number of jurisdictions have reported measles outbreaks. Cases of measles have been reported in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and most recently, Alberta.
There are no confirmed measles cases at your school at this time; however, it is important that parents are aware of the risk and are supported by Alberta Health Services (AHS) Public Health.
Measles Illness:
Measles is very contagious and is easily spread through the air. Some people who get measles can have serious health problems. In rare cases, measles can lead to death.
Measles is a viral illness. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a blotchy rash. Symptoms usually start 8-12 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to appear.
Measles may cause complications including ear infections, pneumonia, seizures, or inflammation of the brain. Complications are more common among children under five years and people who are pregnant or immunocompromised.
A person with measles symptoms should stay home, avoid contact with others, and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or any healthcare provider.
Protection against Measles:
The best protection against measles is to get immunized. Measles vaccines are highly effective.
In order to be adequately protected against measles, individuals born in or after 1970 need two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine.
In Alberta, measles-containing vaccines are available free of charge for eligible individuals. The routine childhood immunization program includes two doses of measles containing vaccine.
For more information about measles-containing vaccines please go to ahs.ca/immunize or talk to your/your child’s healthcare provider. Parents and guardians can check that their child has received two doses of measles vaccine by calling Health Link at 811 or by contacting their local public health or community health center. Individuals who are 14 years of age and older can check their My Health Record account immunization record.
Measles Case Response:
If measles is confirmed at your school, Public Health will immediately begin working with the school to keep everyone safe and reduce the risk of measles spreading.
To reduce transmission of measles, provincial Public Health guidelines require those with infection and their contacts who are not immune to measles to stay at home and away from others until the risk of spreading the disease is over.
Further, we encourage you to keep children home when showing any signs of illness. Two doses of measles vaccine given before a school measles exposure provides protection against measles and avoids possible exclusion.
Next Steps:
If your child is not immunized, or you are unsure about you or your child’s immunization status, please call Health Link at 811.
You can also learn more from MyHealthAlberta about the risks of measles here, find frequently asked questions here, or text ‘measles’ to 88111 for more information by text message.
Thank you for your support.