By\u00a0Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
Alberta\u00a0doctors say the death of a baby born prematurely due to measles is a \u201cstark\u201d reminder that the ongoing measles outbreak in\u00a0Alberta\u00a0was preventable.<\/p>\n
Dr. Brian Wirzba, the new president of the\u00a0Alberta\u00a0Medical Association, which represents doctors, says they are deeply saddened to learn of the death and know that \u201cthe family is heartbroken.\u201d<\/p>\n
The province\u2019s first recorded measles death this year came after the mother of the baby contracted the disease while pregnant.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the second in Canada this year.<\/p>\n
Alberta vaccination rate low<\/p>\n
Wirzba says the province\u2019s vaccination rates remain too low, and as a result, the outbreak continues longer than it should.<\/p>\n
In July,\u00a0Alberta\u00a0recorded the most measles cases in North America on a per-capita basis.<\/p>\n
Wirzba urged Albertans to protect themselves from the serious and highly contagious disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that misinformation and disinformation are contributing to vaccine hesitancy, and that many people are being actively targeted with false claims,\u201d he said in a Friday statement, offering condolences and support to the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also recognize the health-care team who cared for this child with compassion and dedication \u2014 our thoughts are with them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alberta\u2019s rate of infection <\/p>\n
As of Friday, 1,917 measles cases have been reported by the province on its website this year, with three of those cases currently active and communicable.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on its website that, as of Tuesday, there have been a total of 1,544 confirmed measles cases in that country.<\/p>\n
Primary and Preventive Health Minister Adriana LaGrange has said that since Alberta launched its marketing campaign in April, measles immunizations have increased by 52 per cent compared with the same period last year.<\/p>\n
Opposition NDP calls on UCP government to do more<\/p>\n
Opposition NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman has called on the United Conservative government to do more, including increasing access to the vaccine and giving front-line health workers the resources they need to do so.<\/p>\n
Both Wirzba and LaGrange have stressed that measles poses the greatest risk to pregnant individuals and young children, and have said that those who are considering becoming pregnant should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy doing so, you help protect not only yourself but also those around you who are most vulnerable,\u201d said Wirzba.<\/p>\n
LaGrange\u2019s office has not responded to requests for details, including about when and in what region of the province the death occurred.<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2025.<\/p>\n
\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n