Most measles cases occur in those under 17 and not immunized

Southern Alberta Newspapers

This week’s measles count showed that the north zone is now the provincial hotspot for the virus. As of July 8, Alberta Health had recorded 1,217 cases of the virus, with 12 known communicable and active cases.

“Most reported cases have been in children under five years old and those aged five to 17 who are not immunized,” the provincial health authority said in its update.

The weekly report divides the province into five zones: north, central, south, Edmonton, and Calgary. On July 8, the north zone outpaced the south for the second straight week with 17 new cases and 322 total this season. Here in the south zone, Alberta Health tracked eight new cases, with a total of 753 to date. The central zone, Edmonton, and Calgary had two new active cases and a combined 142 for the season in total.

In the under-five category, 353 children have been infected; in the ages five to 17 range, 541 cases have been tracked. Among the 18 to 54 population, 317 people have been infected. Those over 55 remain basically untouched, with only six known instances of individuals contracting the virus. No senior reported a single new infection in the past week. Provincewide, two people were hospitalized as of Tuesday.