Infectious disease experts are increasing the alarm on measles in Alberta, warning cases are much higher than neighboring provinces and are rapidly increasing.
Alberta reported 116 more measles cases last week, which took the total confirmed cases of Alberta to 326 from Friday.
“[It’s] Really the greatest growth in the number of measles cases, at least per capita, anywhere in Canada, “said Craig Jenne, professor of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.
“It will be very difficult to stop this.”
Alberta cases are surpassed by Ontario, which has reported more than 1,400 cases since their outbreaks began in October.
That province, which has the population three times, registered 197 new cases in its last weekly update.
The neighboring provinces are not so difficult.
Until Friday, British Columbia had reported eight cases and Saskatchewan’s account sat at 27.
“We are almost at a turning point in which we bring everything to the table and put some resources to try to contain this or we could see that the numbers rise towards what we are seeing in Ontario,” said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of Alberta.
The southern area of Alberta is the most affected with 200 cases as of Friday. The central zone had reported 86 cases at the end of the week.
Why is Alberta so hard?
“The most predominant determinant of whether measles is spreading is the state of the vaccine,” Jenne said.
“Alberta is typically below most of the other jurisdictions. And there are Alberta regions that are significantly below the other provinces, and these really provide the plaster for these growing fires of infectious diseases.”
According to the Alberta government website, two doses of the measles vaccine offer a protection of almost 100 percent.
Provincial data show that 71.6 percent of seven -year -old children were updated with both vaccine doses in 2024.
That is well below the threshold of 95 percent that experts say it is needed for protection at the population level.
Next to Saskatchewan, vaccination rates are higher.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, 87.4 percent of seven -year -old children in that province were completely vaccinated with two measles vaccine in 2024.
Meanwhile, British Columbia data shows that 72.4 percent of children who turned seven in 2022 were updated with two doses.
To understand why shoots are growing as they are, it is important to observe vaccination rates in localized areas where cases occur, according to Saxinger.
She said there has been transmission in some small and very close communities with really low vaccination rates, which also happened in Ontario.
“If you imagine a fire shooting sparks, then where it lands, if there is Tinder near or not, it really determines what is going to happen,” Saxinger said.
If a measles case ends in a social group where few people immunize, the cases will extend rapidly.
Provincial data show that in two Hills County, only 24 percent of seven -year -old children were completely vaccinated with two doses in 2024. It has been one of Alberta’s hot points for cases.
Other regions with very low vaccination rates include high level (30.6 percent), forty miles (30.2 percent) and the municipal district of Taber (39.1 percent).
“The average numbers tend to sub -present areas in the province that could be significantly below the informed provincial areas, and it is those areas that are really hot points,” Jenne said.
Urban areas tend to have higher rates than the rural parts of the province, he said.
In Ontario, immunization rates have also decreased in the last decade.
The most recent data in that province It shows that 70.4 percent of seven-year-old children were updated with their measles vaccine in 2023-24. Immunization rates were as low as 24.6 percent in the Halton region.
According to Saxinger, the speed with which a province responds and increases vaccination rates can also affect the severity of a measles outbreak.
The contact speed tracking, whether or not the contacts agree in quarantine after the exhibition and whether or not they will take the prophylaxis after the exposure, they are also factors, he said.
“Those things make a big difference. And I think Ontario has had difficulties in all those. And we could be facing a similar situation.”
Delay concerns
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and even death.
Dr. James Talbot, former Alberta Health Director, calls the “worrying” situation, pointing out that there are more cases in the community that reflect the numbers.
This is because there is a delay time between when people are exposed to the virus and when they develop symptoms, they are tested and then have confirmation through laboratory tests.
“The way infectious diseases work is exponentially,” Talbot said during a Media availability organized by the Alberta Medical Association Thursday.
Once Alberta reaches thousands of cases, he explained, statistics show that he can wait between one and three deaths.
“We don’t want to be in that situation,” he said. “Our concern is that we had the opportunity to make a difference before. We are now in a situation in which those opportunities have passed and we are beginning to see a significant increase in the disease.”
After weeks of calls from health experts for a stronger response, the provincial government announced plans last week to improve the accessibility of immunization and launch an advertising campaign that promotes vaccination.
But any increase in immunization rates resulting from these changes will take time to have an impact, he said.
According to Talbot, once a person decides to get vaccinated and receives an appointment, immunity takes between seven and 14 days to hurry.
“We are not only behind the curve in terms of the numbers that are being informed, but potentially we are behind the curve to respond and put people as protected as possible.”
In a statement sent by email to CBC News, an Alberta health official acknowledged that measles outbreaks are having an impact on people, families and communities in the province.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely. Public health officials are doing an excellent job working with impacted communities, responding rapidly and ensuring that there are appropriate measures to help limit greater propagation,” said the spokesman.
“Immunization remains our best defense, and we strongly encourage all Albertaos to ensure that their vaccines are updated.”
The province said that part of its awareness campaign has already been launched on social networks and through online digital advertising.
And it is expected that printed ads, with an approach to rural communities in the central and southern areas, as expected that radio ads throughout the province will be launched this week.
Alberta’s early childhood immunization schedule recommends a first dose of vaccine at 12 months and a second at 18 months.
The province offers babies up to six months of age an early and extra dose if they live or travel to the southern, central or north areas.
