The province of Alberta has reported its first death linked to measles since the highly contagious virus resurfaced in Canada. An infant died shortly after birth when the mother had contracted measles during pregnancy. This tragic event follows a similar case in Ontario in June. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange called the loss "heartbreaking" and urged the public to take protective steps, emphasizing the extreme risks posed by measles to certain groups. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) explains that measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. This virus lives in the mucus found in a sick person's nose and throat. Measles spreads very easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Up to 90% of people nearby who haven't had the vaccine will likely get infected. A sick person can spread measles to others starting four days before the rash appears and for four days after it appears. Are Measles Cases Rising? According to the Government of Alberta, measles is back, and it's spreading quickly. Since March, there have been nearly 2,000 cases reported in Alberta. This is a huge number for a disease that was supposed to be gone from the country since 1998. Most of the sickness is happening in the southern and northern parts of Alberta. More than 150 people have been so sick they needed to be admitted to the hospital. Out of those, 15 people needed care in the intensive care unit (ICU). Who is Getting Infected With Measles? The vast majority of the people who have gotten sick are children and teenagers. The data shows that 89% of those infected had not been vaccinated against measles. Measles spreads so easily that just one sick person can infect up to 18 people who haven't had their shots. How Serious Is Measles? The NFID explains that about 1 out of 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles will need to be hospitalized. This risk is highest for children under age five. 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will get brain swelling, which can cause permanent brain damage.As many as 1 out of 20 children with measles will get a serious lung infection called pneumonia.Sadly, 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 people who get measles will die.The number of cases has been high recently. As of October 2025, there have been 1,544 confirmed cases across 42 US states, with three confirmed deaths. This is the highest number of cases since the disease was eliminated (gotten rid of) in the U.S. in the year 2000. Most of these recent cases (92%) were in people who were not vaccinated. Measles Symptoms and Immune System Risk Measles is one of the easiest viruses to catch because it travels through the air. You can get it just by breathing the air near a sick person.The symptoms to watch for are: A very high fever.A cough, a runny nose, or red, watery eyes.A classic rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body.Measles can give your immune system "amnesia," which means it wipes out the memory of old infections. You become vulnerable again to common sicknesses like the flu or colds that you had already fought off and beaten in the past. This makes you more likely to get seriously ill from other things for months or even years after you recover from the measles. How Can You Prevent Measles? The best defense against measles is the vaccine. The shot is very good at stopping the infection and is free in Alberta. Before Getting PregnantIf you are planning to have a baby, you should make sure you have had two doses of the measles vaccine before you get pregnant. You cannot get the shot while pregnant. Check Your StatusIf you don't know if you've been vaccinated, you can call 811 (Health Link) for free information.
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook