Measles Outbreak Spreads to North Zone

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Measles Cases Surge in Northern Alberta, With Fort McMurray at Risk

FORT MCMURRAY, AB — Alberta’s measles outbreak continues to escalate, with the province’s North Zone, which includes Fort McMurray, now reporting the fastest increase in new cases. Health officials say 262 of Alberta’s 1,122 confirmed cases are in the North Zone, with more than 75 per cent of active, contagious infections located there.

The rapid spread is especially alarming in Fort McMurray, where nearly 18 per cent of residents are school-aged children. This group is most vulnerable to measles due to incomplete or missing vaccinations. According to Alberta Health data, children under five and those aged five to 17 account for 826 of the province’s cases, making up nearly three-quarters of infections.

Previously concentrated in the southern part of the province, the outbreak has now shifted north. In the past 10 days, the North Zone has recorded the sharpest increase in case numbers. Thirteen new infections were reported there in the latest update alone. A standing exposure advisory has been issued for areas in both the South and North Zones, replacing site-specific alerts due to the extent of community transmission.

While the vast majority of patients — 1,102 — are no longer contagious, 20 individuals are still within their communicable period. Of those, more than three-quarters are located in the North Zone, raising concerns about continued transmission in under-immunized communities.

Officials stress that measles is a vaccine-preventable illness. Alberta Health Services is urging all residents, workers, students and visitors to ensure their immunizations are up to date. In Fort McMurray, vaccines are available at the community health centre in Thickwood, next to Tim Hortons.

Only three people in Alberta are currently hospitalized with measles, none of them in intensive care. However, health authorities warn the actual number of cases may be higher due to underreporting or undetected infections in areas with low immunity.