Alberta has called for a “full trial” of measles as it battles Europe's outbreak

As measles cases increase in Europe, there are calls for health officials in Alberta to take stronger measures to prevent outbreaks.

The World Health Organization recently warned of a sharp increase in cases in Europe, and a travel-related case was reported in Montreal last week.

Measles, a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus, can hang in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. In severe cases, it can lead to severe complications that can lead to hearing or vision loss, mental retardation, and even death.

But the immunization rate is declining in the province.

Although data for 2023 is not yet available, provincial statistics show that in 2022, 74 per cent of Alberta children were fully vaccinated with two doses of measles by age seven. In 2018, it was 78 percent.

There are some pockets of the province where rates are much lower.

For example, in the southern region, the immunization rate decreased to 71.7 percent in 2022. It was as low as 45 percent in some local areas in the region.

The total indicator in the northern region was 67.1 percent.

“To protect people — to have herd-based immunity in the community — we need vaccine rates above 90 percent of immunized people to stop community transmission,” said Craig Jenne, a professor. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary.

“If we introduce the virus into these areas, we can expect a very rapid spread and, unfortunately, many cases.”

“Turning on” public health.

Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, Dr. James Talbot, said the province may have more travel-related cases as cases continue to rise in Europe.

He urges public health officials to act now to prevent an outbreak here.

“We need to raise these (immunization) rates and we need a full court order,” he said.

What makes measles difficult to deal with, he said, is that a person can be contagious up to four days before a rash appears. Nine out of 10 unimmunized people who come into contact with the virus get measles.

“We need the Chief Medical Officer of Health and Public Health to campaign to let people know that the vaccine is available, that it's effective, that it's safe, and that they should get the vaccine for their children to prevent serious consequences,” Talbot said. Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta.

Most children recover from measles. But three in 1,000 die from the infection, he said.

“If we do this now before measles gets out of control in the province, we will save lives. If we wait until there is an outbreak, it will be too late and we will lose lives.”

Alberta's current Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mark Joffe, has not spoken publicly in months.

“We need to have an immunization campaign that shows you what vaccinations you should get and what the benefits are, as opposed to shutting down public health in this province and getting the flu,” Talbot said.

“There are many ways to raise these rates. But not talking about it is not one of them.”

Alberta reported one case of measles last year in an infant who contracted the virus while traveling abroad. There was no disease in 2022.

Alberta data shows that the number of cases in the province is generally very low, from one to 44 cases in the previous decade.

“Measles is easily spread through the air and is the most contagious of all known infectious diseases,” a spokesperson for Alberta Health said in an email contacted by CBC News.

The department did not respond to CBC's request for an interview with Joff.

When asked what is being done to protect against outbreaks here, a spokeswoman for Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS) said steps “include improved web content and expansion of the school immunization program to catch up with students who are late for immunizations.” COVID-19 is when many students are studying at home.”

In addition to the vaccines offered as part of the school immunization program, AHS reviews immunization records for children in grades 1, 6 and 9 and offers immunizations to students who are not up-to-date.

But there are no plans to provide measles-specific immunization clinics to address low rates.

“AHS has more than 150 health clinics in Alberta – immunization appointments are widely available, and specific immunization clinics are not currently needed,” the email said.

Jenne agrees now is the time to act, adding measles vaccination clinics could help parts of the province where parents don't have easy access to appointments.

“Right now, if measles isn't necessarily in the province, it's our opportunity to ensure that we're offering vaccines, we're notifying parents, we're making it convenient,” he said.