Alberta Cancer Facilities Limit Visitors Amid Soaring Measles Cases
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is enacting temporary visitor restrictions at cancer treatment centers across the province as a significant measles outbreak continues to escalate. The move aims to protect vulnerable patients undergoing treatment, with 1,538 cases confirmed as of Friday.
AHS announced the limitations in a notice to staff, restricting inpatient and outpatient visits at Calgary’s Arthur J.E. Child Cancer Centre and Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute to a maximum of two individuals. The policy extends to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge and the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre.
According to the health agency, the restrictions are designed to balance patient care with the need to safeguard those most susceptible to severe complications from measles – including pregnant individuals, children under five, and those with compromised immune systems. “This is intended to protect the most vulnerable hospitalized patients during the outbreak while maintaining family-centred care,” a senior official stated. Cancer patients undergoing treatment are particularly at risk.
Exceptions will be made for visitors accompanying patients with confirmed or suspected measles admitted to pediatric and adult hospitals, as well as specialized units like neonatal and pediatric intensive care, labor and delivery, and oncology departments. AHS clarified that the same two visitors are permitted throughout a patient’s stay, with alternative arrangements available for others, and compassionate exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The outbreak is not limited to major urban centers. As of Friday, 479 cases have been identified in the North Zone, 891 in the South Zone, 108 in the Central Zone, 44 in Calgary, and 16 in Edmonton. One person is currently hospitalized, and 11 individuals are considered communicable.
Public health advisories have been issued for both northern Alberta and Calgary following confirmed cases at the Calgary International Airport on July 17 and 19, and at Alberta Precision Laboratories in Glenmore Landing on July 22. Individuals who visited these locations are urged to self-monitor for symptoms and review their immunization records.
Understanding Measles and Its Risks
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious health complications. These range from common ailments like ear infections and pneumonia to more severe issues such as swelling of the brain and, in rare instances, death.
Recognizing the symptoms is crucial for early detection and prevention of spread. Key indicators include:
- A fever of 38.3° C (101° F) or higher.
- Cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes.
- A rash that typically appears three to seven days after the onset of fever, starting behind the ears and on the face before spreading down the body. The rash presents as red and blotchy on lighter skin tones, but can appear purple or darker than surrounding skin, or be difficult to see, on darker skin tones.
If you suspect you have measles, health officials strongly advise staying home and contacting the dedicated measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before seeking medical attention at any healthcare facility, including clinics or pharmacies.
Further information on measles and immunization is available at ahs.ca/measles and ahs.ca/immunization. The ongoing outbreak underscores the importance of vaccination in protecting both individual and community health.
