East the babies from the Stampede because of the measles

While the 113rd edition of the Calgary Stampede is launched, doctors in Alberta urge parents with babies or non -immune children against measles to avoid festivities in the metropolis.

The event takes place at a time when the province has faced the worst epidemic of measles for almost half a century. On Thursday, the province identified 1179 cases of measles since the start of the hatching in March.

The organizers of the Stampede expect more than 1.3 million people going to Calgary to take advantage of the activities.

That’s a lot of people for 10 days in a concentrated areasaid Dr. Sam Wong, president of the pediatric section of the Alberta medical association.

If I had a baby, I would avoid the Stampede and any other large gathering to protect my child.

Measles can lead to many medical complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature childbirth and even death.

The professor of infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, Craig Jenne, is also worried about non -immune people.

We know, simply from a statistical point of view, that measles will be present on the Stampede website.

He explains that Albertans from areas affected by measles, such as south, center and north, could bring the virus.

A very transmitted virus

Measles is a very contagious disease which is transmitted by air and can spread inside and outside, says Craig Jenne.

When you think of the crowds of the Stampede, people are very close to each other and the measles virus is very contagious. So we know that it is the kind of environment where a virus, like measles, can be spread very easily.

Other events, such as the festival K-Days In Edmonton, are the subject of concerns.

Dr. Karina Top, a doctor specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at the Stollery children’s hospital, asks the vulnerable Albertans and babies to avoid major events.

If the risk was not high, I would not suggest people to stay at home. […] I really don’t want someone to fall seriously while going to the Stampede.

A risk, according to the province

The province says that it continues to encourage all Albertans to check if they have been immune to measles.

We recognize that major events, such as the Calgary Stampede, could potentially increase the risk of exposure to respiratory viruses, including measles, and we will continue to follow the situation closelycan we read in a declaration by the Ministry of Primary and Preventive Health Care.

The organizers of the Stampede encourage visitors to follow the councils of provincial public health authorities.

If you don’t feel well, we ask you to stay with you.

According to information from Jennifer Lee