Fresh measles alerts issued for Calgary bars and Edmonton grocery as Canadian outbreaks continue

Canada has experienced an increase in the frequency of measles cases this year, with instances being reported in more than half of all provinces and outbreaks currently ongoing in British Columbia and Ontario.

But the latest front in the war against the preventable, but highly contagious, virus could be Alberta. Several cases of measles were recently confirmed in that province's largest cities, and alerts have been issued to those who may have been exposed while visiting an Edmonton grocery store and two Calgary bars.

Alberta Health Services confirmed three cases of measles on Thursday, bringing the number of confirmed residents who have contracted measles up to nine in that province in recent months.

Other cases have been reported in Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, among other places.

Concerning cases of measles outbreaks continue to be monitored in recent weeks, highlighted by confirmation that one British Columbia region had as many as 228 cases.

That outbreak is now said to be largely contained to the Chilliwack community it first struck, but concerns persist. Fraser Health said this week they were preparing for a third wave of the disease to hit the community.

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Last week, a U.S. health officer confirmed that an American living across the border from British Columbia contracted measles during a recent visit to the province.

Hamilton, Ont., has also been hit hard by a measles outbreak, with another adult testing positive this week. An outbreak warning is currently in place and is expected to remain in effect until near the end of the month.

In Alberta, however, an outbreak declared late last year was concluded in January, with 42 confirmed cases being treated. The more recent appearance of measles has not prompted a second outbreak declaration and containment efforts appear to be in the early stages.

On Thursday, Alberta Health Services alerted the public to confirmed cases in Edmonton and Calgary. The health agency says that anyone who visited the West End Registries licence renewal location on 170th Street in Edmonton on March 25 or 26, and anyone who visited the Safeway grocery store on March 25, could have been exposed to the virus.

The alert came at the same time that Calgary residents were warned that anyone who visited National Pub Westhills and Cibo bar near the end of last month may have been similarly exposed.

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Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe illness and death to those exposed without adequate immunization. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes, and followed by a rash that spreads from the patient's face and neck to the chest, arms and legs. There is no treatment for measles, but it can be prevented through immunization.

In Canada, children are commonly immunized for measles at an early age - receiving doses at the ages of 12 months and another between the ages of four and six. Shots are provided for free across Canada, yet some elect not to receive the vaccination either based on apathy or personal choice. The British Columbia outbreak, for example, was centred on a religious community where immunization was low.

While still endemic in some other countries, measles are relatively rare in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada, however, said there has been a "higher than usual number of cases" this year.

Canada has routinely had fewer than 100 confirmed cases of measles, before a sudden jump to 750 cases in 2011. So far this season, more than 300 cases have been confirmed.

The agency says it is monitoring the prevalence of measles cases across the country.

The uptick in cases has also prompted calls for the creation of a measles vaccine registry, in order to track areas where immunization is lower and quickly identify those in danger in the case of future outbreaks.

Perhaps it is time to start thinking about that database. The issue doesn't seem to be clearing up any time soon.