Alberta Records First Measles Death
Infant Death from Measles as Province Leads North America in Cases
(Full disclosure - Kelly Allard serves on the board of the local Friends of Medicare chapter)
A newborn has died from congenital measles in Alberta, a devastating and preventable tragedy that has exposed a critical failure in the province's public health defenses. This first measles death in decades comes as Alberta battles the worst measles outbreak since 1986.
The infant died shortly after birth, having contracted the virus in the womb after the mother was infected—a condition known as congenital measles. Health Canada notes that measles during pregnancy carries a significant risk of severe complications for both the mother and the fetus, including premature birth, low birth weight, and fatal measles infection in the newborn.
Alberta now holds the highest number of measles cases per capita in North America, a crisis directly fueled by having the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the country. About 74% of the 1914 measles cases occurred in children under 18 years old.
This has drawn sharp criticism of the government's public health response. Three months ago the advocacy group Friends of Medicare raised alarms about a lack of leadership and a robust strategy, questioning the visibility of the Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Health Minister. At that time, they warned that the government's previously announced response plan was insufficient to stop the spread, citing concerns that public health services were being sidelined by political restructuring.
With vaccination rates in some zones as low as 74%—far below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity—the province remains a tinderbox for the world's most contagious virus. Public health officials stress that measles is so contagious that it can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
People are urged to
GET VACCINATED: If you or your child are missing even one dose, book an appointment. The two-dose MMR vaccine is nearly 100% effective.
CALL THE HEALTHLINK HOTLINE: Albertans are encouraged to call the dedicated measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 to book an immunization appointment or get information about measles and their immunization status.
ISOLATE IF SYMPTOMATIC: Health Canada advises that individuals with suspected measles must be isolated for four days after the onset of the characteristic rash to prevent further spread.
The death of an infant from a vaccine-preventable disease, coupled with a record-breaking outbreak, marks a profound public health crisis in Alberta. Health advocates stress that without immediate and transparent action, more preventable tragedies will follow.
Courtesy of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
Face of boy after three days with measles rash.
