As measles case numbers continue to increase in Alberta, primary care teams are reminded of the following key resources. Note: Measles resources are constantly being updated – please watch for new updates.
New: Today (April 10th), Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been notified of an additional new case of measles within the Central Zone. Several of the individual cases have been in public settings while infectious, including in the communities of Two Hills, Vegreville and Red Deer. For the latest information on measles in Alberta – including a full list of Exposure Locations & Dates across the province – visit ahs.ca/measles.
- Measles | Alberta.ca – offers up-to-date case numbers and information for the public.
- Active Health Advisories | Alberta Health Services – lists current advisories by zone.
- Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway – gives step-by-step, comprehensive clinical guidance on care delivery. Updated March 25, 2025.
- Measles Primary Care Summary Guide – sums up key clinical information and relevant information for a clinic setting.
New – APL Specimen Collection Pathways for Measles
To protect the public and staff while ensuring access to laboratory services for all Albertans, Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), in collaboration with Alberta Health Services Public Health, has developed defined specimen collection pathways for all measles testing. The APL patient appointment line 1-877-702-4486 must be used to ensure appropriate and safe access to measles testing.
Past Content
As measles case numbers continue to increase in Alberta, primary care teams are reminded of the following key resources:
- Measles | Alberta.ca – offers up-to-date case numbers and information for the public.
- Active Health Advisories | Alberta Health Services – lists current advisories by zone.
- Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway – gives step-by-step, comprehensive clinical guidance on care delivery. Updated March 25, 2025.
- Measles Primary Care Summary Guide – sums up key clinical information and relevant information for a clinic setting.
- Environmental Cleaning Guidelines in Community Clinics – provides recommendations on cleaning / disinfecting procedures and products.
- Laboratory Testing for Suspected Measles – provides details on testing procedures and supplies.
- Posters | Alberta Health Services – offers infection prevention and control posters, including a Patient Symptoms poster available in multiple languages.
Reminder: Measles case notification procedure
- If you suspect measles or have further questions, please contact your Zone MOH on-call at the following numbers:
- Calgary Zone: 403-264-5615
- Central Zone: 403-356-6430
- Edmonton Zone: 780-433-3940
- North Zone: 1-800-732-8981
- South Zone: 403-388-6111
- Report all suspected cases immediately to the MOH on-call prior to ordering testing.
- Do not send patients for testing without discussion with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) on-call to avoid unwanted exposures.
- Arrange for testing of clinical specimens as outlined in the provincial laboratory guidance, available here: Laboratory Testing for Measles.
Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks. Cases have been identified in several Canadian provinces, including outbreaks across Alberta. See the following active health advisories:
- Confirmed case of measles in the Edmonton area
- Confirmed case of measles in the Calgary area
- Confirmed case of measles in Taber, including exposure in the Calgary International Airport
- Confirmed cases of measles in the Fort Vermilion area
Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and Indigenous Services Canada are working together to ensure that the public, healthcare providers and other partners have the information they need to prevent, protect and identify measles cases.
Please note: patients who present at clinics with measles symptoms, or who call the clinic and identify possible exposure, should not be directed to the Emergency Department (ED) for testing. EDs are experiencing patients presenting for testing who do not require medical care – this is creating a risk of increased exposure.
Please follow the Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway, which has been updated.
Resources for healthcare providers:
Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) is asking primary care providers to take the following action regarding measles prevention and testing:
- Ensure you and your staff are fully vaccinated to prevent acquiring measles
- Familiarize yourself with the clinical presentation of measles
- Check that you have sufficient supplies of nasopharyngeal swabs, Universal/Viral Transport medium and sterile urine containers for sample collection, and ensure the transport medium has NOT expired (expiry date on container)
- Familiarize yourself and your nursing staff with how to collect a nasopharyngeal swab
- Ensure you have sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment, especially N95 respirators
- Before sending a suspect measles patient to have their blood collected, first contact the APL Appointment Booking line at 1-877-702-4486
- Refer to the APL Guide to Services for additional information
- Refer to the AHS IPC Acute Care Resource Manual for additional information
Measles update: confirmed case in Edmonton / additional provider resources
AHS has confirmed that an individual with lab-confirmed measles has been in public settings in Edmonton while infectious. You can find details on exposure locations in this health advisory.
Anyone who attended these locations at these times who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is at risk for developing measles.
Exposed people born in or after 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at greatest risk and should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707 as they may be eligible for medication to prevent measles.
Anyone who attended these locations at these times is strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.
If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider.
Although no cases of measles have been identified in Alberta in 2024, outbreaks are occurring around the world and Albertans may contract the disease through travel if they are not immune. AHS is advising anyone with symptoms of measles to stay at home, avoid contact with others and call 811 before visiting any hospital, clinic or healthcare provider.
Symptoms include:
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- fever 38.3°C or higher
- cough, runny nose, or red eyes, and
- a red, blotchy rash appearing three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreads down to the body and then to the arms and legs.
- For full details on measles, immunization and severity, please see htps://myhealth.alberta.ca/topic/immunization/pages/Measles.aspx.
- For more information on routine childhood immunizations, including for measles, visit ahs.ca/immunize.
- To receive information about measles, text ‘measles’ to 88111.
- Additional provider information will be coming soon.