About measles

There are currently no new cases of measles in Alberta.

Visit Public Health Advisories for the latest information about measles in Alberta.

Measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air when someone who has measles coughs or sneezes. Measles is sometimes called rubeola or red measles.

Symptoms can include:

• fever of 38.3°C or higher; and
• cough, runny nose, or red eyes; and
• a rash that appears 3 to 7 days after the fever starts.

The rash usually starts behind the ears and on the face, then it spreads to the body, arms, and legs. The rash looks red and blotchy on lighter skin. On darker skin, the rash may look purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see. See pictures of the measles rash.

Measles can be dangerous because:

• One in 10 people will get middle ear or lung infections.
• One in 1,000 people will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to seizures, deafness, or brain damage.
• One to 10 of every 10,000 people will die.

Learn more about measles or see frequently asked questions about measles.

Who is most at risk?

If you’ve never had measles or are not fully immunized, you are at risk of getting measles if you have contact with the virus. This includes travelling within or outside of Canada where there is risk of contact with measles.

Measles tends to be more severe in children younger than 5 years, people who are pregnant, and people with weakened immune systems.

If you were born before 1970, there is a good chance you are immune to measles, because you were likely exposed to measles when it circulated widely before 1970.

How it spreads

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily through the air.

To get measles, you do not need to be in direct contact with someone who has it. You can get measles just by passing through a room or location where a person with measles was present up to 2 hours before. The person with measles does not need to be there to put you at risk.

Measles can also be spread through coughing, sneezing, yelling, singing, or breathing.

If you have measles, you can spread it before you show any symptoms. Measles can spread starting 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after the rash appears.

Immune globulin (IG)

If you have contact with the measles virus, are not immunized, and are at risk for serious illness, you may get immune globulin. Immune globulin can help prevent measles or prevent you from getting seriously sick if you do get measles.

Immune globulins give quick, short-term protection. For long-term protection, you need a vaccine.

Learn more about immune globulin.