Measles numbers may not reflect undiagnosed or exposure cases

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Over the past two-plus weeks, measles cases in Alberta’s north zone have continued to surpass the numbers in the south zone, which for months was the hotbed of viral activity. As of July 10, Alberta Health had recorded 1,252 cases of the virus province-wide, with 15 known communicable and active cases.

  In its daily update, the provincial health authority said that its case numbers may not account for undiagnosed or exposure cases.

  The weekly report divides the province into five zones: north, central, south, Edmonton, and Calgary. On July 10, the north zone tracked 19 new cases and 363 total this season. In the south zone, Alberta Health tracked two new cases, with a total of 759 to date. The central zone, Edmonton, and Calgary had no new active cases and a combined 145 for the season.

  In the under-five category, 369 children have been infected; in the ages five to 17 range, 554 cases have been tracked. Among the 18 to 54 population, 338 people have been infected. In those over 55, only six known instances of individuals contracting the virus have been tracked this season. No senior reported a single new infection in the past week. Province-wide, two people were hospitalized as of Friday.