A vial of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine rests on a clinic counter in Greenbrae, California, in a photo taken on February 6, 2015. Since March, Alberta has recorded 1,314 measles cases as outbreaks continue across the province. The Canadian Press
Alberta now has 1,314 measles cases this year. That number exceeds the 1,288 cases in the entire United States. Officials first spotted Alberta’s outbreak in March. Since then, cases have climbed rapidly.
Experts Sound the Alarm
Dr. Sam Wong of the Alberta Medical Association said he feels sad. “If we had acted sooner, we might not have reached this mark,” he said. Alberta has ten times fewer people than the U.S. Still, it now beats the U.S. in total cases.
Dr. Lynora Saxinger from the University of Alberta called the spread “absolutely terrible.” She warned that big events like festivals could fuel more cases. “School starts soon, and we remain vulnerable,” she added.
Outbreak Zones and Hospitalizations
The south, north, and central regions face the worst outbreaks. By July 5, officials reported 102 hospital stays, including 15 in intensive care. No deaths have occurred so far. A health advisory covers many parts of the province to warn about exposure.
Rapid Spread Concerns
Dr. Craig Jenne of the University of Calgary noted the fast pace. “We saw cases rise much quicker here than in other provinces,” he said. He pointed out that Ontario, with triple Alberta’s population, reported about 1,934 confirmed cases by July 8. Alberta’s rate of spread is alarming.
Call for Mass Vaccination
Saxinger urged the government to set up vaccine clinics. She said booking shots must become easier. She also asked for an extra early dose for babies as young as six months. Currently, only some regions offer that extra shot. Saxinger said pregnant people and young children need more protection.
Government Response
The health ministry said it is working to stop the outbreak. “We have expanded clinics and outreach,” a spokesperson said. They noted that many U.S. cases are in Texas, not spread evenly. They also argued Alberta’s “active” case count may not show true risk, as it does not include unreported cases.
The ministry added that hospital stays remain low, with just two patients in hospital now. They said weekly cases have dropped for four straight weeks and public health teams ramped up vaccine doses by 57% between March and June.
Looking Ahead
Officials warn that festivals, travel, and school could spread measles further. They stress that high vaccination rates offer the best protection. As Alberta works to catch up on shots, health workers will track cases and keep clinics open through the fall.
