Message from Dr. Francesco Rizzuti

Measles Update for All Healthcare Providers and Staff

April 22, 2025

Dear healthcare providers and staff,

This memo contains information about important changes to measles case reporting for physicians, effective immediately, as well as information on how to appropriately transport lab samples.

New Physician Reporting Process for Measles Cases

Please note that the reporting process for measles has changed. Primary care providers should no longer report cases to their Zone Medical Officer of Health. Effective immediately, please use the process below.

New process

All suspected, probable and confirmed cases of measles (from in-person/virtual assessments) must be reported immediately by calling 1-844-343-0971.

You will be prompted to press 1 if you are reporting a measles case. You will be asked to leave the following information:

  • Your first and last name and the best number to reach you at
  • The patient's first and last name, date of birth, healthcare number, onset date of symptoms, what symptoms the patient is experiencing, what tests have been ordered, and any known links to measles cases including travel

You will get a call back to collect any missing information if needed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Please advise the patient to isolate in their home until they are called with the results of their tests and that they may also receive a call from public health.

Primary Care Providers can still reach out to their Zone Medical Officer of Health with questions or concerns about measles at the following numbers:

  • Calgary Zone: 403-264-5615
  • Central Zone: 403-356-6430
  • Edmonton Zone: 780-433-3940
  • North Zone: 1-800-732-8981
  • South Zone: 403-388-6111 (will need to ask to page MOH)
  • For those living in a First Nations community: ISC MOH: 780-218-9929

Note that the following resources have been updated to reflect the new reporting process change:

Lab Reminder - Appropriate collection & transport of lab samples

The laboratory diagnosis of measles is critically dependent upon the collection of the right sample(s) sent in the correct transport medium or container, otherwise the sample will be rejected for testing, or the test result will be inaccurate.

The following are the appropriate samples and transport medium for collection:

  • Throat and nasopharyngeal swabs MUST be sent in Viral/Universal Transport medium (pink fluid with red cap), the same transport medium as used for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 testing. Do NOT use e-swabs or Reagan-Lowe transport medium.
  • Urine, at least 5 to 10 mL, in a sterile container. Do not use vacutainers or containers with preservatives
  • Blood collected in Gold top Vacutainers (SST)

For further information go to:

If you are sending someone to lab for specimen collection, please call and book ahead with the APL Patient Appointment Line 1-877-702-4486.

Sincerely,

Dr. Francesco Rizzuti
Acting Senior Medical Officer of Health (vacation coverage for Dr. Laura McDougall)