Alberta has recorded its initial measles fatality since the onset of outbreaks of the extremely contagious disease in the province in March. The jurisdiction disclosed that a premature infant, born after the mother contracted measles during pregnancy, passed away shortly after birth. Adriana LaGrange, the Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, expressed sorrow over the occurrence in an email statement, noting this first death from measles in the province.
Children under five, expectant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems face the highest vulnerability to measles infections. Measles exposure during pregnancy can result in severe complications such as miscarriage, preterm labor, stillbirth, and congenital infection, as emphasized by LaGrange. She conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family during this challenging period.
The infant, according to provincial data, is one of seven babies diagnosed with congenital measles this year. Congenital measles arises when the infection is transmitted by the mother in the final two weeks of pregnancy. It can lead to severe complications in the newborn, including brain inflammation and fatality, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
LaGrange is advocating for vaccination, especially among those planning to start a family. She underscored the importance of ensuring vaccination with two doses of measles-containing vaccine before conception, as vaccination during pregnancy is discouraged. The Minister urged individuals uncertain of their immunization status to seek information through the provided channels and take necessary measures to safeguard themselves and the most susceptible individuals in their communities.
Health professionals have been cautioning about the severity of the outbreaks for months, surpassing case counts for the entire United States during the summer. Craig Jenne, a professor specializing in microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, described the fatality as the worst possible outcome, emphasizing the increased risk of severe consequences with rising measles cases.
Provincial statistics indicate 1,914 confirmed measles cases since March, resulting in 152 hospitalizations of Albertans, with 15 admissions to intensive care units. The Alberta government website notes that between one and three out of every 1,000 measles-infected individuals may succumb to the disease.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Lynora Saxinger from the University of Alberta Hospital described the news of the baby’s demise as tragic, emphasizing the preventability of such cases with higher vaccine uptake and accurate information dissemination. Further details on the circumstances of the infant’s death and the mother’s measles contraction remain undisclosed.
The province launched a measles public awareness initiative in April, reporting improved immunization uptake compared to the previous year. Dr. Sam Wong, the Alberta Medical Association’s pediatrics section president, expressed dismay over the fatality and stressed the importance of stronger immunization messaging and awareness about measles risks.
As the outbreaks persist, Saxinger urged Albertans to critically evaluate the information guiding their vaccination decisions, cautioning against misinformation associated with measles vaccines. The specialist highlighted the successful track record and safety of vaccines in preventing measles-related fatalities, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making in vaccination practices.
