Measles

Learn about measles and how to protect yourself and your family.

Overview

Measles outbreaks are occurring in Canada, including Alberta. These outbreaks are highly preventable.

Measles can be spread over times of high travel (like spring break). If you are unimmunized and travelling or returning from travel, be aware of areas where measles is currently spreading. To see if you may have been exposed to measles in Alberta, see information on exposure locations and dates.

Albertans can protect themselves and those around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up-to-date.

Measles containing vaccines are provided free of charge for eligible populations through Alberta Health Services public health centres.

Measles cases in Alberta

Table 1. Diagnosed measles cases past their period of communicability* as of April 25, 2025

Cases past period of communicability122
Known to be communicable (active)15
Total cases137

* Period of communicability (the time the person can transmit measles to another person).

Notes:

  • This does not reflect risk in the community as there may be people with undiagnosed measles, nor does it reflect the number of persons who have been exposed to measles.
  • This estimated number is used for public reporting purposes only. Public health will determine period of communicability for individual measles cases for the purposes of contact management.

Table 2. Confirmed cases as of 12 pm, April 25, 2025

ZoneNew casesTotal cases
North017
Edmonton05
Central164
Calgary05
South746
Total8137

Table 3. Cases by age group as of 12 pm, April 25, 2025

Age groupCount
<5 years35
5 to 17 years83
18 to 54 years18
55 years and older1
Total137

Weekly reporting

As of April 19, 2025, a total of 105 confirmed measles cases were reported to Alberta Health.

Figure 1. Number of confirmed measles cases by week of reporting, 2025


To be updated each Thursday (if >5 cases identified)
Chart data table
Week Cases
‌2025-03-09 7
2025-03-16 10
2025-03-23 5
2025-03-30 13
2025-04-06 38
2025-04-13 32

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Table 4. Hospital admissions among confirmed measles cases as of April 19, 2025

HospitalizationCount
Yes9
No96
Unknown0
Total105

Table 5. Immunization status of confirmed measles cases as of April 19, 2025

Immunization status1Count
Unimmunized95
1 dose6
2 or more doses2
Unknown2
Total105

1Information on who is considered protected can be found in the Prevention of measles section.

Figure 2a. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for Alberta

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 2642 2290 1628
Jan 5 3369 2496 2666
Jan 12 3632 2780 2893
Jan 19 3327 2958 2728
Jan 26 3736 3322 2916
Feb 2 3859 3305 2595
Feb 9 3590 2894 2725
Feb 16 3261 2995 2519
Feb 23 4523 3659 3436
Mar 2 4006 3831 3415
Mar 9 3953 4209 3864
Mar 16 3910 3903 5805
Mar 23 3991 3475 6100
Mar 30 2959 3156 5073
Apr 6 3566 3719 5554
Apr 13 3827 3585 4652
Apr 20 4030 3862
Apr 27 3818 3425
May 4 3848 2462
May 11 3516 2576
May 18 3327 2549
May 25 3689 3061
Jun 1 3906 3410
Jun 8 3616 3043
Jun 15 3586 3085
Jun 22 2790 2677
Jun 29 2683 2354
Jul 6 2943 2605
Jul 13 3260 2833
Jul 20 3039 2584
Jul 27 2675 2356
Aug 3 2588 2066
Aug 10 3260 2729
Aug 17 3318 2642
Aug 24 2922 2469
Aug 31 2514 2214
Sep 7 3240 2719
Sep 14 2848 2617
Sep 21 2922 2548
Sep 28 2412 2171
Oct 5 2752 2648
Oct 12 2864 2367
Oct 19 3185 2707
Oct 26 2734 2776
Nov 2 3028 2884
Nov 9 2571 2423
Nov 16 3275 2932
Nov 23 3218 2687
Nov 30 3202 2934
Dec 7 2923 2778
Dec 14 2503 2590
Dec 21 1269 876

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart showing...

Figure 2b. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for Calgary

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 1065 913 706
Jan 5 1275 948 1071
Jan 12 1487 1161 1205
Jan 19 1289 1052 1071
Jan 26 1628 1539 1180
Feb 2 1632 1468 1042
Feb 9 1503 1164 1120
Feb 16 1532 1353 1107
Feb 23 2157 1666 1596
Mar 2 1858 1632 1551
Mar 9 1742 1737 1739
Mar 16 1673 1558 2042
Mar 23 1697 1324 2125
Mar 30 1216 1215 1846
Apr 6 1581 1455 2080
Apr 13 1581 1374 1723
Apr 20 1726 1474
Apr 27 1603 1227
May 4 1647 806
May 11 1461 886
May 18 1439 1053
May 25 1493 1112
Jun 1 1810 1345
Jun 8 1563 1291
Jun 15 1599 1223
Jun 22 1045 1031
Jun 29 1122 875
Jul 6 1042 948
Jul 13 1315 1157
Jul 20 1156 1090
Jul 27 1058 898
Aug 3 982 769
Aug 10 1236 1183
Aug 17 1203 1050
Aug 24 1002 890
Aug 31 988 893
Sep 7 1254 1088
Sep 14 1133 994
Sep 21 1016 926
Sep 28 947 923
Oct 5 1101 988
Oct 12 1091 1032
Oct 19 1280 1108
Oct 26 1023 1058
Nov 2 1084 1150
Nov 9 952 1012
Nov 16 1261 1220
Nov 23 1216 936
Nov 30 1337 1176
Dec 7 1112 1115
Dec 14 947 1083
Dec 21 411 385

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart of...

Figure 2c. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for Edmonton

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 898 829 580
Jan 5 1135 914 929
Jan 12 1162 999 980
Jan 19 1145 1124 941
Jan 26 1215 1095 1008
Feb 2 1313 1124 914
Feb 9 1197 1040 974
Feb 16 971 977 826
Feb 23 1440 1228 1030
Mar 2 1275 1325 1127
Mar 9 1255 1468 1113
Mar 16 1247 1330 1585
Mar 23 1336 1261 1930
Mar 30 1040 1193 1675
Apr 6 1138 1300 1636
Apr 13 1254 1323 1423
Apr 20 1326 1458
Apr 27 1306 1336
May 4 1325 1076
May 11 1195 1097
May 18 1126 932
May 25 1290 1205
Jun 1 1235 1236
Jun 8 1240 1105
Jun 15 1161 1110
Jun 22 1032 911
Jun 29 948 901
Jul 6 1130 987
Jul 13 1231 971
Jul 20 1180 937
Jul 27 1024 885
Aug 3 975 777
Aug 10 1232 934
Aug 17 1275 938
Aug 24 1146 951
Aug 31 928 785
Sep 7 1138 972
Sep 14 1038 955
Sep 21 1095 955
Sep 28 822 708
Oct 5 974 1016
Oct 12 1143 848
Oct 19 1206 991
Oct 26 1066 1055
Nov 2 1177 1066
Nov 9 971 801
Nov 16 1224 1043
Nov 23 1297 1090
Nov 30 1131 1090
Dec 7 1102 1061
Dec 14 920 877
Dec 21 584 352

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart of...

Figure 2d. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for Central

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 221 206 99
Jan 5 276 205 205
Jan 12 295 215 240
Jan 19 301 253 221
Jan 26 304 263 261
Feb 2 286 266 220
Feb 9 298 233 216
Feb 16 255 191 189
Feb 23 296 265 261
Mar 2 345 354 241
Mar 9 336 334 292
Mar 16 339 371 573
Mar 23 354 274 671
Mar 30 238 286 532
Apr 6 306 369 735
Apr 13 331 332 697
Apr 20 314 376
Apr 27 299 277
May 4 258 231
May 11 298 209
May 18 258 170
May 25 297 245
Jun 1 324 291
Jun 8 251 230
Jun 15 290 249
Jun 22 222 219
Jun 29 193 209
Jul 6 242 197
Jul 13 250 226
Jul 20 257 195
Jul 27 201 206
Aug 3 197 177
Aug 10 247 193
Aug 17 242 194
Aug 24 231 192
Aug 31 191 188
Sep 7 278 192
Sep 14 214 210
Sep 21 242 202
Sep 28 198 171
Oct 5 237 200
Oct 12 197 151
Oct 19 253 201
Oct 26 233 221
Nov 2 258 222
Nov 9 220 181
Nov 16 257 220
Nov 23 234 220
Nov 30 275 235
Dec 7 238 215
Dec 14 184 208
Dec 21 85 41

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart of...

Figure 2e. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for North

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 237 205 145
Jan 5 406 255 262
Jan 12 393 299 278
Jan 19 336 347 286
Jan 26 313 260 289
Feb 2 359 281 241
Feb 9 327 315 248
Feb 16 289 296 243
Feb 23 356 321 329
Mar 2 347 343 302
Mar 9 384 433 564
Mar 16 379 379 1212
Mar 23 375 365 882
Mar 30 264 261 596
Apr 6 346 370 606
Apr 13 426 325 421
Apr 20 416 334
Apr 27 336 394
May 4 375 225
May 11 322 222
May 18 327 228
May 25 350 298
Jun 1 366 333
Jun 8 335 266
Jun 15 318 267
Jun 22 272 309
Jun 29 255 226
Jul 6 318 273
Jul 13 268 283
Jul 20 256 244
Jul 27 222 218
Aug 3 255 200
Aug 10 334 240
Aug 17 334 256
Aug 24 323 225
Aug 31 223 193
Sep 7 317 246
Sep 14 284 292
Sep 21 333 270
Sep 28 249 197
Oct 5 263 270
Oct 12 285 191
Oct 19 306 266
Oct 26 253 260
Nov 2 284 272
Nov 9 234 244
Nov 16 297 272
Nov 23 302 241
Nov 30 273 258
Dec 7 293 253
Dec 14 238 233
Dec 21 117 53

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart of...

Figure 2f. Measles containing immunization doses administered by week and geography, 2023-2025 for South

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 217 133 91
Jan 5 269 163 188
Jan 12 291 99 183
Jan 19 253 171 198
Jan 26 271 158 170
Feb 2 263 162 171
Feb 9 264 140 166
Feb 16 204 173 142
Feb 23 264 173 212
Mar 2 178 168 178
Mar 9 229 226 142
Mar 16 267 249 373
Mar 23 223 237 462
Mar 30 194 192 411
Apr 6 193 217 475
Apr 13 231 225 366
Apr 20 244 210
Apr 27 271 182
May 4 239 118
May 11 233 153
May 18 174 158
May 25 253 193
Jun 1 166 197
Jun 8 223 138
Jun 15 213 225
Jun 22 211 201
Jun 29 160 138
Jul 6 202 190
Jul 13 190 186
Jul 20 184 114
Jul 27 167 143
Aug 3 175 138
Aug 10 209 169
Aug 17 253 189
Aug 24 216 202
Aug 31 181 150
Sep 7 247 212
Sep 14 169 151
Sep 21 231 171
Sep 28 192 165
Oct 5 171 159
Oct 12 144 131
Oct 19 135 131
Oct 26 152 171
Nov 2 222 159
Nov 9 189 174
Nov 16 229 163
Nov 23 162 186
Nov 30 179 163
Dec 7 173 122
Dec 14 205 178
Dec 21 69 42

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Line chart of...

Notes for Figure 2a-f:

  • Excludes measles immunoglobulin administered as post-exposure prophylaxis
  • Includes null doses administered to children < 12 months of age

About measles

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air. The best protection against measles is to ensure you are up to date with your immunizations.

Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks including Canada, the United States and Europe.

Measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles is sometimes called rubeola or red measles.

Measles symptoms include:

  • a fever
  • a cough
  • a runny nose
  • red eyes
  • a blotchy, red rash that appears 3 to 7 days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, the redness may be harder to see or may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin. It typically begins behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and to the arms and legs.

Measles can be dangerous because:

  • 1 in 10 people with measles will get middle ear or lung infections
  • 1 in 1,000 people with measles will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to seizures, deafness, or brain damage
  • 1 to 3 of every 1,000 people with measles will die

Who is most at risk

You are at risk of being in contact with measles if you are exposed to an infected person, or if you travel to areas within or outside of Canada where measles is spreading. If you have not had confirmed measles in the past or if you have not been fully immunized against it and you come into contact with the virus, you are at risk of getting measles. Over 90% of people who are not immune to measles and who come into contact with the virus will become infected.

Those at highest risk of severe complications from measles include:

  • children less than 5 years of age
  • people with weakened immune systems
  • people who are pregnant

How measles spreads

Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air.

You do not need to be in direct contact with someone who is infected. You can get measles just by passing through a room or location where a person who is infected was up to 2 hours before. The person who is infected does not still need to be there to put you at risk of disease.

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

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

Who is protected

Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles containing vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age. Children who received 2 doses of vaccine are considered protected.

Adults born in 1970 or later with a documented history of 2 life-time doses of measles containing vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart, or those who have a history of lab confirmed disease or serological evidence of measles immunity are considered protected.

Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles, as measles circulated widely before 1970. One or 2 doses of the vaccine may be recommended if you are a healthcare worker, student at a post-secondary educational institution or are traveling to areas within or outside of Canada where measles is spreading.

Prevention of measles

Immunization information

Further outbreaks are preventable. The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications from disease. Albertans can protect themselves, their loved ones and people around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up-to-date.

Albertans can check their immunization records to confirm they have received the recommended doses of the measles-containing vaccine.

Alberta’s measles-containing vaccine eligibility is outlined in the table below. If you are traveling outside of your city or the province, see the table under the Travel advice section.

Table 6. Age and vaccine recommendation within Alberta

Age cohortVaccine recommendations
Infants 6 months up to and including 11 months of age living in Central, North and South Zones.1 dose of MMR vaccine
Children 12 months up to and including 17 years of ageRoutine schedule is 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, though 2 doses can be offered at least 4 weeks apart at any age in this cohort
Adults born in 1970 or later2 lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine at least 4 weeks apart
Healthcare workers regardless of age2 lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine at least 4 weeks apart
Students at post-secondary educational institutions born before 19701 lifetime dose
Other adults born before 1970Generally not recommended however if an adult lives in Central, North and South Zones and has no documented history of 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine, no history of laboratory-confirmed measles disease and no laboratory evidence of measles immunity, consider 1 dose.

The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. It has a long-proven track record of safety. After just one dose of measles-containing vaccine, protection is about 85% to 95% for measles, and after 2 doses, protection is almost 100%. Learn more about effectiveness, safety and side effects.

Measles containing vaccines are provided free of charge for eligible populations. To see if you are eligible to get the vaccine, you can call the Immunization Booking Line at 811 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. if you live in the Calgary or Edmonton Zone. If you live in another zone in Alberta, contact your local public health or community health centre.

If you have any questions about measles or immunizations, contact your primary care provider such as your doctor, pharmacist, midwife, nurse practitioner, or public health nurse.

If you do not know you or your child’s immunization history, text "vaccine record" to 88111, call Health Link at 811, or call your local public health or community health centre for assistance.

  • Albertans 14 years of age and older can check their immunization history using myhealthrecords.

Routine childhood and school immunization coverage in Alberta can be found on the Interactive Health Data Application (IHDA) and visualized on the Alberta childhood immunization coverage dashboard.

Prevent the spread

There are things you can do to prevent getting sick and to protect others:

  • Get your measles immunizations.
  • Stay home when feeling sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Call Health Link at 811 before visiting any hospital, clinic or healthcare provider.

If you think you have been exposed to measles

  • If you think you or your child has been exposed to measles, call Health Link at 811 before visiting any healthcare provider, clinic, or hospital. The registered nurse who answers your call will guide you on the next steps.
  • If you are not protected against measles and you are in contact with a measles case, you will be required to stay home for a period of time starting 5 days after the first exposure to the case to 21 days after the last exposure to the case. It is important to monitor yourself for symptoms during this time.
  • If you have contact with the measles virus, are not immunized and are at risk for serious illness, you may be offered 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, immunization is needed.

Public Health Follow-up of Measles Case and Contacts

Measles is a disease that must be reported to public health in Alberta. There are legislative requirements for reporting, case investigation and contact management. 

When someone gets measles, public health staff will contact them (or their parent/guardian) to ask and answer questions to prevent spread of infection to others. Public health will try to find out where the person caught measles and who else may be at risk of infection. This includes identifying people who may have been exposed, especially those who are not protected against the disease. If these people are found quickly, steps can be taken to reduce their risk of getting measles. Public health may need to speak with the person who has measles more than once to gather all the necessary information to help stop the disease from spreading.

People who are not immune to measles will be asked to stay away from public places during the time they may develop the disease. This helps protect others and prevent further spread of the illness in the community.

Travel advice

Measles can be spread over times of high travel (like spring break). If you are unimmunized and travelling or returning from travel, be aware of areas where measles is currently spreading.

If you or a loved one is traveling to any country outside of Canada or to or through the areas listed below where measles is spreading in Canada, consult table 6 for vaccine eligibility. This table will be updated as needed.

Areas where measles is currently spreading in Canada include:

Alberta

Ontario

Table 7. Age and vaccine recommendation for travel

Age cohortVaccine recommendations
Infants 6 up to and including 11 months of age1 dose of MMR vaccine
Children 12 months up to and including 17 years of age2 doses of measles-containing vaccine at least 4 weeks apart and after turning 1 year of age
Adults born in 1970 or later2 lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine at least 4 weeks apart
Adults born before 1970 with no documented history of 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine, no history of laboratory-confirmed measles disease and no laboratory evidence of measles immunity1 lifetime dose of measles-containing vaccine

Get help

Online resources are available if you need advice on handling stressful situations:

If you need to talk to someone, call the 24-hour Mental Health Help Line: