Alberta Health Services has informed the University that a person who participated in the Friday, May 30, Spring 2025 Convocation Ceremony III (morning ceremony), was ill with measles. Everyone who attended the morning ceremony should consider themselves exposed to the measles virus.
Please read the following information on measles, provided by Alberta Health Services, and inform family and friends who may have attended Ceremony III of the situation.
Thank you for doing your part in reducing the spread of measles in our community.
Health Centre
June 4, 2025
Notice to Convocates, Attendees and Staff: University of Lethbridge, May 30 Convocation
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has learned of a person with measles who participated in convocation on May 30 at the University of Lethbridge while they were ill. All participants, attendees and staff who were present at the University of Lethbridge on May 30 must read the following.
What is Measles?
Measles is an illness that is easily spread through the air we breathe. Some people get very sick from measles. Sometimes, they can die.
Signs of measles can be:
- Fever of 38.3° C or higher
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red eyes; and
- A red, spotted rash seen 3 to 7 days after fever starts. It usually starts behind the ears and on the face before spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs. On darker skin colours, the rash can look purple or darker than the skin around it, or it might be hard to see.
Signs can start 7 days after exposure to measles. Sometimes it can take up to 21 days to show symptoms of measles. We can spread the sickness to others before we show any signs.
Measles can cause other health problems like:
- ear infections
- pneumonia
- swelling of the brain
- early labour and birth.
It can be worse for young children, women who are expecting, and people with weak immune systems.
What happens if I get measles?
AHS Public Health will work with the University of Lethbridge to reduce the risk of measles spreading.
If you have been close to someone with measles, you may be able to receive a dose of vaccine to reduce the risk of getting measles. A dose of vaccine needs to be given within 72 hours of contact to prevent measles. Babies under 1 year old, people with a weak immune system or who are expecting may be able to receive medicine within 6 days of contact to prevent getting measles. Call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 if this applies to you or your family.
Anyone with measles or symptoms of measles must stay at home and away from others until cleared by AHS Public Health. If we are ill or have symptoms, we must stay away from school, church or other group events so we don’t get other people sick. Call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before going to the hospital, doctor’s office or pharmacy.
AHS Public Health may also ask those who are not immunized and have been close to someone with measles to stay home.
AHS Public Health may ask questions about where you or your child may have gotten measles. ALL information collected stays private. AHS Public Health will never tell anyone your name or share any details that could be used to identify you as a source of measles. Thank you for your help in protecting others by answering Public Health’s questions.
Protect yourself & your family
The best way to keep yourself and your family safe is by getting two doses of measles vaccine. The vaccine works very well and is safe.
With measles in South Zone, those who live, work or travel to the area can get an additional dose of vaccine:
- Babies who are 6 months up to and including 11 months old are recommended to receive an early dose of vaccine. They should still receive two doses after they reach 1 year old.
- If you were born before 1970 and have not been immunized, talk to your healthcare provider about a single dose of measles vaccine.
To check if you and your family have the needed doses of the vaccine and/or to book an appointment for the measles vaccine, call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434.
If you are 14 years or older, you can check your vaccine record online at My Health Record.
The measles hotline connects you to a health professional who can help you access your vaccine records. They can also offer information and advice for those with measles symptoms and are feeling unwell.
Where to get more information:
- Call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434.
- For information on routine childhood immunization, visit ahs.ca/immunization.
- Learn more from MyHealthAlberta about the risks of measles here and find frequently asked questions here.
- Learn more about measles and its risks by visiting www.ahs.ca/measles.
- Text 'measles' to 88111 to get information by text.
Thank you for your part in reducing the spread of measles in our community.
Contact:
Health Centre | health.centre@uleth.ca