BREAKING: Measles exposure on North Campus

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed that there were three instances of measles exposure on the University of Alberta’s North Campus.

An email notifying all students and staff at the U of A was sent out on September 5 at 4:51 p.m..

One exposure took place on August 31, between approximately 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in HUB Mall. Another took place on August 31 between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Multifaith Room in HUB Mall. According to the email, the third exposure happened on September 2 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in HUB Mall.

On AHS’ website, it stated that an exposure took place on August 15–16 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.. AHS confirmed that the August 15–16 was a separate case.

The Gateway asked the U of A to confirm whether it notified any staff or students about the August 15–16 exposure. U of A media relations told The Gateway to direct questions to AHS.

AHS later confirmed that there was no exposure on August 15–16 at HUB Mall. The date previously listed on their site was an administrative error.

Those who were at the listed locations during those times are at risk of having been exposed to measles.

The email stated that a “small number of people may also have been exposed during a brief period of time while in one classroom.” AHS will contact those individuals directly.

Symptons of measles include a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. Those at the highest risk of complications from measles include children under the age of five, people with weakened immune systems, and those who are pregnant.

Measles can begin to spread before symptoms show, up to four days before the rash appears, and until four days after the rash appears, according the AHS’ website.

Recommendations to keep the campus community health

The email sent out to U of A staff and students encouraged people to check their immunization record.

Students and staff, as well as their spouses, can receive a measles immunization at the U of A Health Centre in the Students’ Union Building (SUB).

The email also stated that to “keep the campus community healthy” people are recommended to stay at home or in their dorm when sick. Students in residence should notify Residence Services if they suspect they have contracted measles.

The Gateway requested comment from the U of A on the measures being taken in light of the measles exposure and why students and staff were not notified until September 5 about the August 31 exposures.

“We are taking this potential exposure extremely seriously. We are working closely with Alberta Health Services, as well as the University Health Centre, to protect the health and safety of our campus community,” the U of A said in an email.

For further information, the U of A said to reach out to AHS. AHS was unable to confirm whether six days was the usual time it takes to notify people of an exposure.

Alberta has been dealing with a measles outbreak for several months. Alberta’s numbers surpassed the total case counts in the United States back in July. Since March 2025, Alberta has confirmed 1,829 measles cases as of September 5 at 5:00 p.m..

UPDATE: This article was updated on September 5, 2025 at 6:01 p.m. to include confirmation on the dates of exposure from AHS and comment from the U of A.

UPDATE: This article was updated on September 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. to include further comment from the U of A about the August 15–16 exposure.

UPDATE: This article was updated on September 5, 2025 at 8:02 p.m. to reflect that the August 15–16 date was an administrative error by AHS.