Pregnancy and measles: practical advice after Alberta’s delayed disclosure
A premature baby infected in utero died in Alberta in July, but officials did not publicly report the death until October. Here’s what pregnant people should know and do.
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By Torontoer Staff
A premature baby in Alberta who contracted measles in utero died at the end of July, according to internal provincial documents. The province did not add the fatality to its public measles dashboard until October, a delay that prompted concern about timeliness of information during an outbreak.
For people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, the case highlights two practical issues: measles poses particular risks during pregnancy, and public reporting practices can affect how quickly at-risk people learn about local outbreaks.
Why measles matters in pregnancy
Measles infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and severe neonatal illness. When a parent has confirmed or probable measles, infants who show laboratory evidence of infection within their first 10 days of life are considered confirmed cases under public health definitions. A probable case meets clinical or exposure criteria without lab confirmation.
We have been trying to detangle how to capture and report on adverse pregnancy outcomes and finalize our congenital measles case definition. Once that was done, we went back and reviewed the cases previously reported to us.
Dr. Kristin Klein, then interim deputy chief medical officer of health, Alberta
What the reporting delay means for you
Public health agencies use case definitions and reviews to classify complex outcomes. Alberta officials said they were aligning provincial criteria with federal working definitions and adding operational detail before publicly reporting the pregnancy-related death. Infectious disease specialists, however, emphasise that classification does not always need to delay alerts to the public when people are at risk.
Timeliness is important when there’s people at risk whose actions might be changed by knowing this information.
Dr. Lynora Saxinger, infectious-diseases specialist, University of Alberta Hospital
Practical steps for pregnant people
- Check your immunity: ask your provider for documentation of two doses of measles-containing vaccine or a recent blood test showing immunity.
- Get tested if exposed: contact your obstetrician or public health unit immediately to arrange testing for measles antibodies if you think you were exposed.
- Ask about post-exposure options: discuss the possibility of receiving immunoglobulin, which may be offered in some cases to reduce risk after exposure.
- Avoid live vaccine during pregnancy: MMR is a live vaccine and is not given while pregnant. If you need vaccination, plan to receive it before pregnancy or after delivery.
- Keep newborns safe: infants too young for routine MMR may be at higher risk if their parent had measles during pregnancy. Notify neonatal care providers about any exposure.
How to stay informed and advocate for clarity
Monitor local public health dashboards and subscribe to your regional health unit updates. If you believe an exposure occurred and you have not received timely information, contact your health unit or care provider and request specifics about potential exposure dates and recommended actions.
Ask clear questions: whether the local case was laboratory confirmed, whether parent or household members were cases, and what measures public health recommends for pregnant contacts. These details affect testing and treatment decisions.
Vaccination and planning
The safest way to prevent measles complications in pregnancy is to ensure immunity before conceiving. Routine immunisation schedules provide two doses of measles-containing vaccine for children and catch-up doses for adults without proof of immunity. Discuss your vaccination status with your primary care provider or obstetrician well before pregnancy if possible.
For people who learn they lack evidence of immunity during pregnancy, clinicians will balance risk and options. In some cases, a blood test can confirm immunity and avoid unnecessary vaccination decisions while pregnant.
Resources
- Contact your regional public health unit for exposure alerts and testing guidance
- Talk to your obstetric care provider about measles immunity and post-exposure management
- Review Public Health Agency of Canada guidance on measles case definitions and pregnancy-related risks
The death reported in Alberta underscores the particular risks measles poses during pregnancy and the importance of timely, clear communication during outbreaks. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, confirm your immunity, stay alert to local outbreak information, and seek prompt clinical advice if exposure is suspected.
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