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Alberta nears 1,000 measles cases as health officials push for higher vaccination rates
Measles cases continue to climb in Alberta, with the province approaching 1,000 confirmed infections of the vaccine-preventable illness. The surge has given Alberta one of the highest per-capita infection rates in North America and is raising alarm among health officials.
More than 900 people have already fallen ill, with the vast majority of cases concentrated in the province’s southern zone. The region continues to report some of the lowest vaccination rates in Alberta, a trend that public health officials say is contributing to the rapid spread of the disease.
Measles has a known mortality rate of between 1 and 3 deaths per 1,000 cases. With infection numbers rising, doctors are warning that without swift action, it may only be a matter of time before the province begins to see preventable fatalities.
In response to the outbreak, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued letters through schools, urging parents to confirm that their children’s vaccinations are current. The messaging is part of a broader push to boost immunization rates and prevent further strain on the health system.
The province has not yet declared a public health emergency but continues to monitor the spread of the virus. Health authorities say increasing vaccination coverage remains the most effective way to slow transmission and protect vulnerable populations.
Officials are reminding Albertans that measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, particularly for young children and those with weakened immune systems.
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