News | DrumhellerMail - Page #2300
04252024Thu
Last updateWed, 24 Apr 2024 4pm

Measles exposure alert from Alberta Health Services

 

Alberta Health Services has identified a probable case of measles in the Central Zone and is advising of potential exposures.
    The Central Zone includes Drumheller, Three Hills, Trochu, Hanna and Stettler.
    “The important piece to note is that people are infectious the day before they get symptoms, so they’re feeling fine,” said Central Zone Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
    Hinshaw  said it sometimes takes up to three weeks from exposure to the time people get the measles illness.
    Individuals who were at the following locations, on the dates and in the time frames noted, may have been exposed to the probable case of measles:
       Mattie McCullough Elementary School (26 Lawford Ave., Red Deer)
•    April 4, 8 and 9 from 8:40 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Individuals at risk in this school setting have already been notified directly; only those who were notified directly of this exposure setting are considered at risk.
    Abbey Master Builder Centre (4500 Womacks Rd., Blackfalds)
•    April 5, 2014 from  noon to 3 p.m.
    Village Mall Medical Clinic (#22 6320 - 50 Ave., Red Deer)
•    April 9, 2014 from 8:10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
    Individuals who were in the above locations in the noted time frames may be at risk for developing measles. These individuals are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles. If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465) before visiting any health care facility or provider.
    Symptoms of measles include:
•    fever of 38.3 C or higher; and
•    cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
•    a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.
    Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. Though there is no treatment for measles, it can be prevented through immunization.
    In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose between the ages of four and six years.
    Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465) to discuss.
    Two cases of measles were confirmed for the Calgary Zone last week, prompting an exposure warning.
    Hinshaw said there is, thankfully, no reported measles cases in Drumheller.Alberta Health Services has identified a probable case of measles in the Central Zone and is advising of potential exposures.
    The Central Zone includes Drumheller, Three Hills, Trochu, Hanna and Stettler.
    “The important piece to note is that people are infectious the day before they get symptoms, so they’re feeling fine,” said Central Zone Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
    Hinshaw  said it sometimes takes up to three weeks from exposure to the time people get the measles illness.
    Individuals who were at the following locations, on the dates and in the time frames noted, may have been exposed to the probable case of measles:
       Mattie McCullough Elementary School (26 Lawford Ave., Red Deer)
•    April 4, 8 and 9 from 8:40 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Individuals at risk in this school setting have already been notified directly; only those who were notified directly of this exposure setting are considered at risk.
    Abbey Master Builder Centre (4500 Womacks Rd., Blackfalds)
•    April 5, 2014 from  noon to 3 p.m.
    Village Mall Medical Clinic (#22 6320 - 50 Ave., Red Deer)
•    April 9, 2014 from 8:10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
    Individuals who were in the above locations in the noted time frames may be at risk for developing measles. These individuals are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles. If symptoms of measles do develop, these individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465) before visiting any health care facility or provider.
    Symptoms of measles include:
•    fever of 38.3 C or higher; and
•    cough, runny nose and/or red eyes; and
•    a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.
    Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. Though there is no treatment for measles, it can be prevented through immunization.
    In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose between the ages of four and six years.
    Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465) to discuss.
    Two cases of measles were confirmed for the Calgary Zone last week, prompting an exposure warning.
    Hinshaw said there is,"thankfully", no reported measles cases in Drumheller.

Run-off causing concerns in river and streams

When the ice began to break up, chunks of ice almost a metre thick  crashed along the banks of the river. Within a few short hours, water levels in the Red Deer River subsided dramatically.

There were some tense moments Wednesday morning as ice on the Red Deer River built up near Nacmine.
    Residents from Nacmine and communities to the west woke up to a shock on their commute into town, looking at ice build-up spanning from Nacmine to about the Drumheller Health Centre. With the ice, the water continued to rise. 
    Mayor Terry Yemen said the Town of Drumheller was monitoring the Red Deer River and on Wednesday morning dispatched a staff member by airplane to look at the Red Deer River levels and the potential for more ice.
     Due to high wind they were not able to carry out the aerial monitoring.  By mid morning however, the ice began to break.
    There was also ice build-up on the Red Deer River near the Swinging Bridge, this broke up at approximately 10:30 am. About 45 minutes later at 11:15 a.m., the ice build up at the train bridge at Nacmine, broke up in a dramatic fashion.
    While the river level  has subsided, there are still concerns with high water on many of the streams throughout the area.
    The province issued a flood watch Wednesday morning for areas in Central Alberta, including the Drumheller area.
    The River Forecast Centre has been in communication with affected counties and there are no immediate concerns regarding homes or public infrastructure.
    At 11:09 a.m, Alberta Emergency Alert issued a watch for the area from south of Blackfalds to just south of Drumheller.

   This warning was preceded by a High Water Level Alert for Kneehill County, issued Monday, April 7 that warned of elevated water levels in streams due to run off.

    The Hesketh Creek Low Level Crossing west of Drumheller was closed, however the single lane bridge remains open. A number of roads listed at www.kneehillcounty.com have been closed due to washout.
    On Wednesday afternoon shortly after 5 p.m., a High Water Level Alert was sent out for Wheatland County because of elevated water levels in rivers and streams.
   A flood warning means stream levels are rising and will approach or may exceed full banks. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur.
     Mayor  Yemen explains the high water levels are related to the heavy snowpack on the plains and the warm weather.  
        A number of creeks throughout Central Alberta are beginning to spill over their banks.  The creek near Dunphy has caused some overland flooding.

Three Hills RCMP Charge Two Youth with Armed Robbery

Three Hills RCMP charged a 14 year old male from Delburne Alberta with Armed Robbery, Wearing a Disguise While Committing an Indictable Offence, and Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public.  The day prior, April 8th, 2014, a 13 year old female was also charged with a single count of Armed Robbery. 

The charges stem from an Armed Robbery call that RCMP responded to on April 7th, 2014 where it was reported that a lone masked person entered the Delburne Fas Gas service station, brandished a knife, and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and other items.  Several RCMP members and a police service dog from Red Deer responded to the call.  A lengthy investigation ensued and resulted in the 2 arrests.  No persons were injured during the robbery, no other suspects are being sought, and RCMP have recovered a portion of the stolen property.   Both Youth have been released from custody.  The female youth is scheduled to appear in Drumheller Provincial Court on June 4th, 2014 and the male youth on April 25th, 2014 to answer to the charges.

More Articles ...

  1. Crossing guard plan illegal for school
  2. Flood report headed to province
  3. Flood watch issued for Central Alberta
  4. Starland finalist for environmental award

Subcategories

The Drumheller Mail encourages commenting on our stories but due to our harassment policy we must remove any comments that are offensive, or don’t meet the guidelines of our commenting policy.