Following confirmation of several cases in the state over the weekend, new cases of measles have been reported in Alberta. This occurs amidst the outbreak affecting various provinces across Canada.
Alberta reported two new cases in Calgary in the last 24 hours of noon on March 18, and one more in Edmonton, bringing the total to 13 this year, according to the state’s daily follow-up.
The Alberta Health Department said at the end of last week that several incidents have been confirmed in the northern area of Fort Vermillion, notifying them of potential revelations. Since then, additional cases have been reported, including the Edmonton and the Calgary area, as well as the towns in the southern part of Alta.
The Alberta measles incident was part of a rise in cases across Canada, with 227 reported cases as of March 6, according to the Canadian Public Health Agency. The agency said cases in the first two months of 2025 were higher than the total cases last year, with outbreaks being reported in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba.
Measles is also known as rubella or red measles, and is a virus that spreads from the air when it comes into contact with respiratory secretions from the mouth or nose. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red spotted rash that begins on the face a few days after fever and spreads across the rest of the body.
The rash usually lasts for 4-7 days. Common complications of measles include ear and lung infections, affecting about 1 in 10 people. In rare cases, measles can cause brain swelling and death, and according to Alberta Health, about 0.3% of patients experience these severe consequences.
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According to Health Canada, people who recover from measles are immune to the disease for life. Canada achieved virus elimination in 1998, with most cases coming from abroad.
Measles cases increased worldwide in 2024 compared to the previous year.
As of March 12, Ontario has recorded 252 confirmed cases and 66 possible lawsuits this year. Public Health Ontario says all but five were due to interprone outbreaks. The agency says the outbreak in New Brunswick last October occurred in connection with travel-related cases, leading to measles incidents in Ontario and later Manitoba. New Brunswick in January declared the outbreak.
Manitoba has recorded six cases so far this year, according to Manitoba Health. Meanwhile, Quebec has reported 39 confirmed cases since last December on March 18, most of which are in the Laurenties area. British Columbia has recorded at least four cases this year.
