Alberta has become the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to cross more than 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025
Live Events
Situation in Ontario
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Health officials confirmed 24 new infections within a single day, bringing the total to 1,020 by Friday noon(June 20). Of those, 25 cases remain active. Though no deaths have been reported in Alberta , experts warn the situation is becoming more serious, particularly for vulnerable populations.Alberta's Primary and Preventive Health Services Ministry confirmed that at least one baby has been born with congenital measles. While exact numbers were not shared, officials stated there were 'fewer than five' such cases, all involving unvaccinated mothers. Additionally, 20 pregnant individuals have contracted measles , with fewer than five requiring hospitalization.Measles is highly contagious but largely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella ( MMR ) vaccine offer nearly complete protection. Experts say 95 percent vaccine coverage is necessary to achieve herd immunity, a benchmark many areas in Alberta still fall short of.Dr. James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says the 1,000-case milestone is a warning sign: 'If the measures were working, we'd see the numbers going down and we wouldn't see spread to new areas. And both of those are happening.'Talbot expects a summer spike in infections as travel increases, warning that cities like Edmonton, which had avoided major outbreaks, could soon see a rise. Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported the first new Edmonton cases on Friday since early May, just a day after warning of exposures in the city, including at the Stollery Children's Hospital on June 18 and 19.Anyone born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented MMR doses may be at risk.Alberta has administered more than 67,000 measles vaccine doses, a 55 percent increase over the same period last year. In the South Zone, uptake rose 130 percent. Still, health experts worry that if immunization rates don't improve, more severe outcomes such as brain damage, miscarriage, and death could follow.According to national data, between one and three in every 1,000 measles patients die. Another one in 1,000 may develop encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain inflammation.Ontario, the first province to pass 1,000 cases in April, now reports nearly 2,180 cases, including six congenital infections and one infant death. Combined, Ontario and Alberta now account for more than 90 percent of all measles cases in Canada this year.'If we don't act faster,' Dr. Talbot warns, 'Canada could lose its measles elimination status by October, a public health achievement held since 1998.'For now, AHS urges anyone experiencing symptoms, fever over 38.3°C, cough, red eyes, or a rash, to call the measles hotline (1-844-944-3434) before visiting clinics or hospitals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Eat watermelon daily? Here's what it really does to your body
Is the watermelon detox trend actually healthy? Live Events Can you lose weight by eating watermelon every day? What are the real health benefits of watermelon? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Watermelon is juicy, refreshing, and full of nutrients but is it too good to be true? A lot of people are trying to eat only watermelon for days because of the "watermelon detox" trend that went viral on social media. But is this really safe and useful? Experts talk about how watermelon affects your body every say that extreme "watermelon-only" detoxes are not a good idea. Eating it alone is not good for you because it doesn't give your body the protein and healthy fats it is no denying that watermelon is a tasty and hydrating fruit. Recently, some social media users have gone too far with that idea, transforming it into a "diet" or "detox."According to dietitian and Sugar Shock co-author Samantha Cassetty, RD, the watermelon diet is a fad that appeared to start gaining traction on social media in 2022 and is not a formal diet plan. It's unclear where the diet came from, and there doesn't seem to be a formal "plan" to it is frequently presented as a "detox" or cleanse in which participants consume only watermelon for a predetermined period of time. The length of time varies; some TikTokers report eating watermelon nonstop for three days, while others say they have done so for at least 30 days, as per a report by Women's watermelon diet is popular because of its detoxifying properties, but the notion that it purges your system isn't to Cassetty, "the goal is to eliminate toxins and begin weight loss without feeling overly hungry, but you don't need to eat a certain kind of food to detox the body." "Your kidney and liver naturally remove toxins from your body on a daily basis because that's how it's designed," she says.A watermelon diet, however, is not a long-term weight loss strategy; rather, it is a temporary fix. Your weight may change if you only eat watermelon, but it will return once you start eating other watermelon might help with weight loss in the short term, it shouldn't be the only food consumed. Concentrating on just one thing can cause the body to lose important proteins and healthy fats, which are necessary are many health benefits of watermelon, as per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).• High in vitamins and antioxidants, watermelon is a nutrient-dense food.• Watermelon's vitamins A, C, and B6 support the immune system and eyesight.• Watermelon's lycopene has been connected to a lower risk of heart disease and some types of low calorie content makes it a good snack for weight loss, and its amino acids can lower blood pressure and improve exercise performance.• Eating watermelon every day can lower body weight and BMI.• Because of its low cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium content, regular consumption can help with weight watermelon is nutritious and low in calories, eating it exclusively is not sustainable or balanced. You will miss out on essential nutrients such as protein and healthy quite. Your body naturally detoxifies itself via the liver and kidneys. Watermelon improves hydration and health, but it does not "cleanse" your system on its own.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Can't do these 5 moves? Your body might be aging faster than it should
What is functional strength and why does it matter? Live Events Which exercises reveal how your body is aging? Push-Ups help you get stronger in your chest, arms, and core so you can push things. Mid-Back Rows: These exercises work your back and biceps (for pulling movements). Walking lunges help you get stronger legs, better balance, and more flexibility. Box jumps or step-ups can help you improve your coordination and lower-body strength. Bodyweight squats are like getting up from a chair, which is important for moving around every day. Russian twists help improve core rotation, which is crucial for balance, turning, and reaching. You can increase hip stability and balance with single-leg deadlifts. How does age play a key role? How does it help you navigate life easily? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel If getting up from the floor or carrying groceries feels more difficult than it used to, your body may be telling you something. Functional strength training is not just for athletes; it is essential for maintaining mobility and independence as we strength training focuses on everyday movements such as squatting, lifting, and balancing, which help you stay agile and strong as you key to feeling competent and confident at every stage of life may lie in functional strength training. This kind of training makes life easier and less painful for of focusing on one muscle at a time, a typical functional strength workout consists of movements that engage several muscle groups you can't do basic exercises like push-ups or lunges, it could indicate early physical decline. But the good news is small, consistent workouts can protect your body and increase your long-term key functional strength moves signal how well your body is aging. Not only do these exercises improve appearance, but they also train the body to support improved strength training is a means of future-proofing your body, not just a fitness fad. You're investing in your capacity to maintain your independence, be active, and engage in your favorite activities well into old age when you place a high priority on functional exercises can tell you about your longevity, balance, and mobility, especially after the age of women benefit from functional strength training because it prepares them for everyday life, lowers their risk of injury by using multiple muscles and enhancing coordination, increases their mobility and balance, and can be tailored to their individual fitness of the best strategies to help your body age is to engage in functional strength training. It keeps you strong, nimble, and self-assured so you may keep living the life you desire, according to your own energy, reduced pain, and greater ability to navigate your days with ease are the results of incorporating functional movements into your weekly necessarily, but it could be a sign to improve your strength and balance. Functional movements keep your body youthful and 10-15 minutes a few times per week can improve mobility, lower the risk of injury, and promote healthy aging.
Economic Times
10 hours ago
- Economic Times
The Fittest Doc reveals 5 daily habits to save your heart: No cost, just results
1. Take a Short Walk After Every Meal 2. Catch the Morning Sunlight Live Events 3. Ditch Plastic Food Containers 4. Forget Motivation, Focus on Micro-Habits 5. Move More, Sit Less (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Think protecting your heart means strict diets and hours at the gym? Think again. According to Dr Nicholas Nwabueze, a US-based physician better known as The Fittest Doc, heart health doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, just five minutes a day can make a big difference, if you know what to focus are five small daily habits he swears by, and they're backed by science of sinking into the sofa after lunch or dinner, walk for 5–10 minutes. That simple step can help control blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation, two things that directly impact heart a 2-minute stroll after a meal helps your muscles absorb glucose from the bloodstream, keeping energy levels stable and your heart protected. It's not about burning calories, it's about keeping your system this isn't just about getting your daily dose of vitamin D. Morning sunlight helps regulate your body clock, which in turn improves your sleep quality, something deeply linked to heart your skin to sunlight in the first hour of waking resets your circadian rhythm, reduces stress hormones, and lowers the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks. Think of it as a natural reset button for your heart every heating your food in plastic containers? Dr Nwabueze says stop now. Many plastics release harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates when heated, which mess with hormones and raise your heart disease plastic for glass or stainless steel, especially when storing or microwaving food. It's a small switch that protects your heart and your to feel motivated to start that health routine? Don't. According to Dr Nwabueze, it's the tiny actions we take daily, not big resolutions, that build real heart standing while taking phone calls, prepping meals once a week, or choosing the stairs over the lift. Small, steady habits add up, and over time, they become heart-saving even if you exercise regularly, sitting too long can still harm your heart. Studies show that people who sit more than 10 hours a day have a 34% higher risk of heart disease, even if they hit the gym solution? Stand up and move every 30 minutes. Just 2–3 minutes of walking, stretching, or pacing is enough to improve circulation and lower your heart risk.
