Ottawa, Oct 3 (NationPress) A premature infant afflicted with measles has sadly died in Alberta, marking the province's first death associated with measles and the second nationwide amid Canada's current outbreak, as reported by local media.

Adriana LaGrange, Alberta's minister of primary and preventative health services, expressed her sorrow in an emailed statement, confirming the tragic news.

According to LaGrange, children under five, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for complications from measles. She urged those planning to conceive to ensure they have received two doses of a measles vaccine before pregnancy, as vaccination during pregnancy is not advised.

The first reported measles-related death in Canada this year occurred in Ontario in June, where another premature baby succumbed to the virus.

This outbreak has been escalating across various provinces since last October. As of September 20, Canadian health authorities have documented 5,006 cases this year, with Alberta and Ontario experiencing the highest numbers, according to Xinhua news agency.

Canada had declared measles eliminated in 1998; however, the recent resurgence has raised alarms among public health officials nationwide.

The World Health Organization states that measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can lead to severe complications and even death.

While measles can affect anyone, it predominantly impacts children.

The virus infects the respiratory tract and disseminates throughout the body. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash.

Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing measles and hindering its spread. The vaccine is safe and equips the body to combat the virus.

Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and the ensuing widespread vaccination efforts, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years, resulting in around 2.6 million deaths annually.

In 2023, an estimated 107,500 people died from measles, primarily children under five, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

Symptoms of measles generally begin 10 to 14 days post-exposure to the virus, with a prominent rash being the most noticeable sign.

Initial symptoms typically persist for 4 to 7 days and include a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, along with small white spots inside the cheeks.

The rash usually appears 7 to 18 days after exposure, commonly starting on the face and upper neck. It spreads within about three days, ultimately reaching the hands and feet, and typically lasts 5 to 6 days before fading.