Measles: a higher number of cases in Alberta than in the United States

Alberta records more confirmed cases of measles than all of the United States, according to the latest government data.

The Alberta currently lists 1314 cases of measles, says the province, while the United States recorded 1288 cases dated July 8, according to the centers for the control and prevention of diseases (CDC).

When you look at the figures, it hurts mesays Dr. Sam Wong, president of the pediatrics section of the Alberta medical association, in an interview with CBC.

If we had acted earlier and took the situation more seriously, we would probably not have to see a single province exceed the number of cases of the United States which have 10 times more inhabitants than Canada.

Since the start of hatching, several little vaccinated Albertan rural communities have been affected. The virus is now spreading to urban centers.

There are still urban pockets where vaccination coverage is low. If the virus enters, we will see the figures explodewarns Dr. Wong.

Eight new cases were also reported last Friday in the Calgary region. If no formal link has yet been established with the Stampede, experts do not exclude a potential impact.

It may still be a bit early to confirm a direct linknuance Dr. Wong.

But if we observe a sharp increase in the coming weeks, it can hardly be ruled out.

According to provincial data, two people are currently hospitalized, including one in intensive care.

For comparison, CDC Report 162 hospitalizations in the United States, where three people have died since the start of the year. Alberta, on the other hand, has reported no death to date, although a little more than 100 hospitalizations have been recorded since the start of the hatch.

Dr. Lynora Saxinger, infectiologist at the University of Alberta, judge the level of transmission:This virus was supposed to be eradicated. Today, we are talking about a massive level of propagation. It stresses that even in better vaccinated urban areas, the virus continues to circulate.

If an unprotected person is exposed, there are approximately 90 % risk that they contract the disease.

She urges the Alberta government to react without delay by setting up mass vaccination clinics and targeting school -aged children before the start of the school year.

We can no longer continue to run after the virus. You have to go faster than him.

Health professionals require a more structured response.

It also recommends that the vaccine dose administered preventively to infants in certain regions to be offered to the entire province.

For its part, Dr. Wong deplores limited access to vaccination in pediatric hospitals.

In addition, Dr. Craig Jenne, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, believes that such an overcoming of the United States was predictable.

It was quite clear that we were going to attend growth, unfortunately, for several weeks, even several months. The spread is very fast here. And we have not yet noticed any significant slowdown, unlike other provincesHe told the Canadian press.

He adds that if the situation persists, Canada could lose its status of eradication of measles, recognized since 1998.

With information from Jennifer Lee and the Canadian Press