Doctors brace for potential measles surge in Calgary as Alberta’s outbreaks drag on – CBC

Public Health Report: Measles Outbreak in Calgary and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent increase in confirmed measles cases in the Calgary health zone presents a significant public health challenge, directly threatening the achievement of key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Health experts are expressing high levels of concern as case numbers rise, vaccination rates remain below the necessary threshold for herd immunity, and the risk of wider community transmission grows. This report analyzes the current situation, its health impacts, and the public health response through the lens of the SDGs.

Analysis of the Measles Outbreak and its Threat to SDG 3

Current Epidemiological Situation

The measles situation in Calgary is dynamic and concerning, representing a direct setback to SDG 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030.

• The number of confirmed cases in the Calgary zone has nearly doubled in approximately one month, reaching 44 of the province’s 1,538 cases.
• Health professionals, including Dr. Tania Principi of the University of Calgary, anticipate a significant surge in cases, viewing the current numbers as “the tip of the iceberg.”
• Factors expected to exacerbate the spread include summer festivals, travel, and the return to school, posing a continuous threat to community health and educational continuity (SDG 4: Quality Education).

Clinical Severity and Impact on Child Health Targets

The severity of measles directly undermines SDG 3.2, which seeks to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five. The disease is not a minor illness and has severe consequences for pediatric patients.

• Dr. Principi reports an increase in Calgary children presenting with severe measles complications, including significant pneumonia requiring ICU admission.
• Measles is a dangerous virus with no specific treatment, capable of causing permanent brain damage and death.
• The high contagion rate, with the virus remaining airborne for hours, makes containment difficult and threatens the well-being of entire communities, a core component of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Vaccination Coverage: A Critical Barrier to Universal Health (SDG 3.8)

Immunization Rates vs. Public Health Requirements

Achieving universal health coverage, including access to essential vaccines (SDG 3.8), is fundamental to preventing outbreaks. Current data indicates a critical gap in vaccination coverage in Alberta.

1. Required Rate: A 95% vaccination rate is required to achieve herd immunity and protect the entire population.
2. Calgary Zone Rate: Only 74% of children who turned two in 2024 are up-to-date with two doses of the measles vaccine.
3. Provincial Average: The provincial rate is lower, at 68%.

This shortfall leaves a significant portion of the population, particularly children, vulnerable. Dr. James Talbot, former chief medical officer of health for Alberta, notes that while Calgary’s rates are better than some areas, they are “well below” the protective threshold.

Risk of Community Transmission and Increased Inequality (SDG 10)

The failure to achieve herd immunity creates a risk of the virus establishing a foothold in under-vaccinated populations, which could exacerbate health inequalities, contrary to the goals of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Many current cases appear to be travel-related, but each imported case increases the probability of sparking widespread community transmission.
• According to Professor Craig Jenne, the more the virus is introduced into the city, the more likely it is to “find a little daylight and be able to spread” within susceptible groups.

Public Health Response and Mitigation Strategies

Strengthening Health System Capacity (SDG 3.d)

The response from Alberta Health Services (AHS) and medical experts reflects efforts to strengthen capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks, as called for in SDG 3.d.

• AHS has issued public exposure advisories for locations including hospital emergency departments and laboratories.
• Experts are actively monitoring the situation and advocating for vigilance and vaccination.
• Contact tracing and self-isolation protocols are key strategies being employed to limit the spread.

Protective Measures in Healthcare Facilities

To protect the most vulnerable and ensure the safety of healthcare environments, AHS has enabled temporary visitor restrictions at certain facilities. This precautionary measure aligns with the overarching goal of ensuring health and well-being for all patients.

• Restrictions may be implemented in pediatric hospitals, cancer treatment sites, and neonatal intensive care units.
• The policy allows zone leadership to respond dynamically to local risks, including the potential for exposure from visitors traveling from regions with higher measles circulation.
• These actions underscore a commitment to protecting vulnerable patients and maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system as a pillar of a sustainable community (SDG 11).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The entire article is centered on SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The discussion revolves around a public health issue—a measles outbreak in Calgary. It highlights the dangers of a communicable disease (“Measles is dangerous. People can die from it…. You can have brain damage from it”), the importance of preventative measures like vaccination, and the public health response to control the spread. The article’s focus on pediatric cases (“increase in Calgary children with measles”) and the strain on health services (“They’ve needed to go to the ICU”) directly relates to the goal of ensuring health and well-being, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

   This target is directly relevant as measles is a highly communicable disease. The article details the efforts to stop an epidemic, with health experts warning that “this is the tip of the iceberg” and that “this is going to continue to spread and our numbers are going to continue to increase” without proper intervention. The implementation of public health measures like “contact tracing, exposure alerts” and encouraging symptomatic individuals to “stay home” are all actions aimed at combating the spread of this communicable disease.

2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   The article underscores the critical role of vaccines, an essential component of universal health coverage. The core problem identified is that vaccination rates are “well below the 95 per cent that’s required for protection.” This highlights a gap in achieving full coverage of essential health services (vaccination). The article explicitly states, “The only way we can stop the spread is ensuring that people are vaccinated,” linking vaccine access and uptake directly to public health outcomes.

3. Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases… provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   This target is addressed through the article’s focus on vaccine access and coverage rates. The mention of specific data—”74 per cent of children in the Calgary zone who turned two years old in 2024 were up-to-date with two doses of the measles vaccine”—directly relates to measuring access to and utilization of essential vaccines within the population. The concern that low vaccination rates could allow the virus to “find an under-vaccinated population in the city and maintain some spread” reinforces the importance of achieving widespread vaccine access as outlined in this target.

4. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The article showcases the activation of a public health system for risk management. Health experts are “keeping a close eye on the measles situation” (early warning), and officials are taking steps to “reduce the risk of measles spreading to vulnerable patients” by implementing “visitor restrictions” in hospitals. The issuance of “Alberta Health Services measles exposure advisories” is a clear example of a risk reduction and management strategy to inform the public and control a national health risk.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Incidence of Communicable Diseases

   While not named as an official SDG indicator in the text, the article provides direct data that serves as a de facto indicator for Target 3.3. The text reports on the number of confirmed cases: “the zone accounted for 44 of the province’s 1,538 confirmed cases this year.” Tracking the number and rate of new measles cases is the primary way to measure progress in combating this communicable disease.

2. Indicator 3.b.1: Proportion of the population covered by… second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2)

   The article provides precise data that aligns perfectly with this official SDG indicator. It states, “According to provincial data, 74 per cent of children in the Calgary zone who turned two years old in 2024 were up-to-date with two doses of the measles vaccine.” This statistic is a direct measurement of vaccination coverage and is used in the article to assess the community’s vulnerability to the outbreak, as it is below the 95% herd immunity threshold.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca