Measles

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

Measles Hotline: Call 1-844-944-3434 for inquiries regarding your immunization records, symptoms, or to book an immunization appointment.

Overview

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles is sometimes called rubeola or red measles.

Measles outbreaks are occurring in Alberta and globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks including Canada, the United States and Europe. These outbreaks are highly preventable.

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.

The best protection against measles is to ensure you are up to date with your immunizations. For those who cannot be immunized (for example: young infants, pregnant people, and those with specific immunocompromising conditions), you can reduce the risk of acquiring measles by avoiding communities with significant measles spread, only socializing with people who you know are immunized, and avoiding indoor gatherings.

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

Measles cases in Alberta

Measles transmission is currently occurring in Alberta, affecting individuals of all ages—including infants, children, and adults. Most reported cases have been in children under 5 years old and those aged 5 to 17 who are not immunized.

Cases have been reported in all zones of the province, with the highest numbers in the south and central zones. Due to the number of people in these areas who may not be immune to measles, it’s possible that some cases are going undetected or unreported, and that some close contacts of measles cases in the South zone may not receive direct notification.

Please be aware that close contacts of measles cases in the South zone may not receive direct notification.

If you are not immunized and live in—or plan to visit—Two Hills, Taber MD, the County of Lethbridge, or the County of Forty Mile, your risk of being exposed to measles is significantly higher.

Table 1. Diagnosed measles cases past their period of communicability* as of May 13, 2025

Cases past period of communicability362
Known to be communicable (active)12
Total cases374

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

  • Notes about Table 1

    • 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, May 13, 2025

ZoneNew casesTotal cases
North131
Edmonton06
Central089
Calgary010
South8238
Total9374

Table 3. Cases by age group as of 12 pm, May 13, 2025

Age groupCount
<5 years115
5 to 17 years187
18 to 54 years71
55 years and older1
Total374

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.

  • Symptoms

    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.
  • Dangers

    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.
  • 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

    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

Weekly reporting

As of May 3, 2025, a total of 254 confirmed measles cases were reported to Alberta Health.

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


Data below are updated each week on Thursday (Note: data on cases are only updated if more than 5 cases are reported since the previous week).
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
2025-04-20 47
2025-04-27 102

Source: Government of Alberta

Accessible chart description

Table 4. Hospital admissions among confirmed measles cases as of May 3, 2025

HospitalizationCount
Yes19
No235
Unknown0
Total254

Table 5. Immunization status of confirmed measles cases as of May 3, 2025

Immunization status1Count
Unimmunized229
1 dose12
2 or more doses7
Unknown6
Total254

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 2644 2290 1630
Jan 5 3377 2498 2668
Jan 12 3632 2782 2894
Jan 19 3328 2962 2732
Jan 26 3738 3323 2916
Feb 2 3862 3306 2597
Feb 9 3595 2900 2728
Feb 16 3263 2996 2522
Feb 23 4529 3660 3440
Mar 2 4011 3831 3424
Mar 9 3960 4210 3867
Mar 16 3914 3906 5826
Mar 23 3994 3477 6104
Mar 30 2959 3159 5086
Apr 6 3567 3721 5583
Apr 13 3831 3586 4697
Apr 20 4033 3863 5137
Apr 27 3819 3428 4809
May 4 3854 2464
May 11 3519 2577
May 18 3330 2550
May 25 3692 3062
Jun 1 3909 3412
Jun 8 3621 3044
Jun 15 3588 3086
Jun 22 2792 2680
Jun 29 2685 2355
Jul 6 2948 2609
Jul 13 3260 2835
Jul 20 3041 2586
Jul 27 2675 2355
Aug 3 2590 2066
Aug 10 3261 2731
Aug 17 3319 2647
Aug 24 2924 2469
Aug 31 2516 2214
Sep 7 3242 2719
Sep 14 2852 2619
Sep 21 2923 2549
Sep 28 2415 2173
Oct 5 2753 2650
Oct 12 2866 2369
Oct 19 3186 2707
Oct 26 2735 2777
Nov 2 3030 2886
Nov 9 2571 2427
Nov 16 3280 2936
Nov 23 3219 2690
Nov 30 3204 2937
Dec 7 2925 2778
Dec 14 2505 2590
Dec 21 1271 877

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 zone

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 1066 913 708
Jan 5 1282 949 1072
Jan 12 1487 1162 1206
Jan 19 1290 1054 1073
Jan 26 1630 1540 1180
Feb 2 1634 1469 1043
Feb 9 1504 1169 1121
Feb 16 1533 1354 1109
Feb 23 2162 1666 1597
Mar 2 1863 1632 1555
Mar 9 1745 1738 1742
Mar 16 1675 1560 2055
Mar 23 1698 1325 2127
Mar 30 1216 1218 1851
Apr 6 1581 1456 2091
Apr 13 1584 1374 1753
Apr 20 1728 1475 2032
Apr 27 1604 1230 1847
May 4 1651 807
May 11 1463 886
May 18 1439 1054
May 25 1495 1113
Jun 1 1813 1345
Jun 8 1566 1292
Jun 15 1601 1223
Jun 22 1046 1032
Jun 29 1124 876
Jul 6 1046 950
Jul 13 1315 1158
Jul 20 1157 1091
Jul 27 1058 897
Aug 3 982 769
Aug 10 1236 1183
Aug 17 1203 1052
Aug 24 1003 890
Aug 31 989 893
Sep 7 1254 1088
Sep 14 1137 996
Sep 21 1017 927
Sep 28 949 925
Oct 5 1102 989
Oct 12 1092 1032
Oct 19 1280 1108
Oct 26 1023 1058
Nov 2 1085 1151
Nov 9 952 1013
Nov 16 1265 1221
Nov 23 1217 938
Nov 30 1339 1178
Dec 7 1114 1115
Dec 14 948 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 zone

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 899 829 580
Jan 5 1136 914 930
Jan 12 1162 1000 980
Jan 19 1145 1125 942
Jan 26 1215 1095 1008
Feb 2 1314 1124 915
Feb 9 1198 1041 976
Feb 16 971 977 827
Feb 23 1441 1229 1033
Mar 2 1275 1325 1132
Mar 9 1258 1468 1113
Mar 16 1248 1331 1588
Mar 23 1336 1262 1931
Mar 30 1040 1193 1679
Apr 6 1139 1300 1640
Apr 13 1255 1324 1429
Apr 20 1326 1458 1636
Apr 27 1306 1336 1656
May 4 1327 1076
May 11 1196 1098
May 18 1128 932
May 25 1290 1205
Jun 1 1235 1238
Jun 8 1242 1105
Jun 15 1161 1111
Jun 22 1033 912
Jun 29 948 901
Jul 6 1132 989
Jul 13 1231 971
Jul 20 1180 938
Jul 27 1024 885
Aug 3 976 777
Aug 10 1233 936
Aug 17 1276 941
Aug 24 1146 951
Aug 31 928 785
Sep 7 1139 972
Sep 14 1038 955
Sep 21 1095 955
Sep 28 823 708
Oct 5 974 1016
Oct 12 1143 850
Oct 19 1207 991
Oct 26 1066 1056
Nov 2 1178 1067
Nov 9 971 804
Nov 16 1224 1045
Nov 23 1297 1090
Nov 30 1131 1090
Dec 7 1102 1061
Dec 14 921 877
Dec 21 586 352

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 zone

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 221 206 99
Jan 5 276 205 205
Jan 12 295 215 240
Jan 19 301 253 222
Jan 26 304 263 261
Feb 2 286 266 220
Feb 9 300 233 216
Feb 16 256 191 189
Feb 23 296 265 261
Mar 2 345 354 241
Mar 9 336 334 292
Mar 16 339 371 575
Mar 23 354 274 672
Mar 30 238 286 535
Apr 6 306 369 737
Apr 13 331 332 699
Apr 20 314 376 533
Apr 27 299 277 430
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 22 222 220
Jun 29 193 209
Jul 6 242 197
Jul 13 250 227
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 16 258 221
Nov 23 234 220
Nov 30 275 236
Dec 7 238 215
Dec 14 184 208
Dec 21 85 42

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 zone

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 237 205 145
Jan 5 406 255 262
Jan 12 393 299 278
Jan 19 336 348 286
Jan 26 313 260 289
Feb 2 359 281 241
Feb 9 328 315 248
Feb 16 289 296 243
Feb 23 356 321 329
Mar 2 347 343 302
Mar 9 384 433 564
Mar 16 380 379 1216
Mar 23 377 365 882
Mar 30 264 261 596
Apr 6 346 370 618
Apr 13 426 325 427
Apr 20 416 334 508
Apr 27 336 394 401
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 12 286 191
Oct 19 306 266
Oct 26 254 260
Nov 2 284 272
Nov 9 234 244
Nov 16 297 272
Nov 23 302 242
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 zone

Chart data table
Week 2023 2024 2025
Dec ‌29 217 133 91
Jan 5 269 164 188
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 30 194 192 412
Apr 6 193 218 475
Apr 13 231 225 367
Apr 20 245 210 410
Apr 27 271 182 454
May 4 239 119
May 11 233 153
May 18 175 158
May 25 254 193
Jun 1 166 197
Jun 8 223 138
Jun 15 213 225
Jun 22 211 201
Jun 29 160 138
Jul 6 201 190
Jul 13 190 186
Jul 20 185 114
Jul 27 167 143
Aug 3 175 138
Aug 10 209 169
Aug 17 253 189
Aug 24 217 202
Aug 31 181 150
Sep 7 248 212
Sep 14 169 151
Sep 21 231 171
Sep 28 192 165
Oct 5 171 160
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

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: