John D’Or Prairie, part of the Little Red River Cree Nation, is experiencing a measles outbreak.
This could potentially be the first measles cases in Alberta this year.
As of Monday, three individuals from the same household have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, with two requiring hospitalization but now recovering at home in isolation.
The outbreak was identified on Sunday, and contact tracing is currently underway.
The community is collaborating with health authorities to contain the virus and ensure safety.
Chief Conroy Sewepagaham noted that the full extent of the outbreak will be clearer once contact tracing is complete, which could take time due to the 10-day incubation period of measles.
In response, the community is organizing a vaccination drive and setting up an emergency vaccination site at a local school gymnasium.
Some age groups in the community have lower vaccination rates, partly due to recent challenges such as fires and floods.
The Public Health Agency of Canada directed inquiries to Alberta Health Services, which indicated that Indigenous Services Canada oversees health matters for the community.
Indigenous Services Canada did not provide a comment on the situation.
