File photo (CBC)
A warning to the public of possible exposure to measles has been issued, after an airline passenger with the infectious disease travelled from Vancouver to Edmonton.
Alberta Health Services says an individual with lab-confirmed measles travelled from Vancouver International Airport to Edmonton International Airport on
Air Canada Flight AC236 on Feb 12.
During their trip, the person put passengers on two flights, the users of two shuttles, shoppers at a Walmart, and travellers staying at a hotel in Leduc at risk.
The following locations are where the individual could have exposed others to the highly contagious infectious disease:
Feb.12:
- Vancouver International Airport and Edmonton International Airport, on Air Canada Flight AC236, with a departure time of 10:15 a.m. and arrival of 12:54 p.m.
- Edmonton International Airport Hotel Shuttle stopping at the Paradise Inn and Suites, Crystal Star Inn, Wyndham Garden Edmonton Airport and Wingate by Wyndham between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
- Stars Inn Hotel at 8332 Sparrow Crescent in Leduc at 12 and 3 p.m.
- Walmart Supercentre at 5302 Discovery Way in Leduc between 5 and 7 p.m.
Feb. 13:
- Stars Inn Hotel at 8332 Sparrow Crescent in Leduc on at 6:30 a.m.
- Edmonton International Airport Hotel Shuttle at the Crystal Star Inn pickup between 6:30 and 7 a.m.
- Edmonton International Airport, for Canadian North Flight #5T-444 to Inuvik departing at 7:45 a.m.
AHS says those in the impacted locations that were born after 1970 and have not had the measles disease or have not received two doses of measles vaccine may be at risk for developing measles.
“Given the timeframe of the potential exposure, post-exposure immunization is not effective. Individuals are encouraged to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the date of potential exposure, which could be up to March 5, 2019,” said the provincial agency in a statement.
Symptoms of Measles include:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher
- Cough, runny nose
- Red eyes and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs.
If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call local emergency health services, before visiting any health care facility or provider.
On Tuesday Washington State had 62 confirmed cases of the measles and Vancouver had nine.
Health professionals say they are bracing and expect the highly contagious disease to make its way to Vancouver Island.
READ MORE: Amid measles outbreak, doctors say likely only a matter of time before virus hits Vancouver Island
With files from the CBC
CHEK News
