Confirmed case of measles in Foremost

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

• AHS issues renewed public alert to potential exposures

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in the Foremost area. This case has also been in public settings in Lethbridge while infectious.

Individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

March 28, 2025

—Costco Wholesale

3200 Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge AB

Exposure time period: Approx. 4:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

—Real Canadian Superstore

3515 Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge AB

Exposure time period: Approx. 5:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

—Boston Pizza – Lethbridge South

2041 Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge AB

Exposure time period: Approx. 6:45 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Earlier on March 28, AHS also announced another confirmed case in the Taber area. This case has also been in public settings while infectious.

Individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

March 22, 2025

The Colosseum

450 31 St. N. Suite 70, Lethbridge

Exposure time period: Approx. 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (MST)

March 27, 2025

Coulee Medical Clinic

4110A Westview Pl., Taber

Exposure time period: Approx. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (MST)

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 and is strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.

As of April 4, five cases of measles have now been confirmed in the South Zone. Three have been linked to an Ontario traveller. The South Zone is now at outbreak status, meaning two or more linked cases in a given zone.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air.

Symptoms of measles include:

• Fever of 38.3° C or higher; and

• Cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and

• A rash that appears 3 to 7 days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. The rash appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours. On darker skin colours, it can appear purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.

If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.

Measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. People born in or since 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection. Those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine AND are pregnant, under one year of age, are adults and/or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles, should contact Health Link at 811 promptly if exposed to measles as they may be eligible for vaccine or immune globulin to reduce the risk of developing measles.

In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age.

Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can text ‘vaccine record’ to 88111, call Health Link at 811 or your local public health office. Albertans can also text ‘Measles’ to 88111 to get measles health information texted to your mobile device. However, anyone who is not up to date for their recommended vaccines can receive them by booking an appointment with your local public health office.

According to provincial vaccination data collated by the CBC, 59.6 per cent of children in the South Zone born in 2021 were fully vaccinated (two doses) by their second birthdays in 2023, while the target is 95 per cent.

Drastically lower rates are being reported in local areas like the County of Forty Mile (27 per cent) and the MD of Taber (28.4 per cent). The provincial average in 2023 was 69.3 per cent.

For further information on routine childhood immunization, visit http://www.ahs.ca/immunize.

For additional information on measles disease, please visit http://www.ahs.ca/measles