After a growing number of measles cases were confirmed throughout the province, Alberta Health Services has officially declared an outbreak of the illness in the affected areas.

AHS said Tuesday that a measles outbreak had been declared Calgary, Central and Edmonton Zones.

So far in 2014, a total of 22 measles cases have been confirmed in the three zones – six in Edmonton, seven in Central and nine in Calgary and officials are expecting more.

“We have had a number of exposures we know about in the Edmonton Zone, and we expect there will be more cases,” AHS Medical Officer of Health Marcia Johnson said. “As well, we have had cases in the Edmonton Zone with no known exposures.”

The declaration means changes have been made to routine childhood immunization schedules, for the duration of the outbreak:

Infants between six and 12 months-old living in or travelling to areas where the outbreak has been declared, or travelling to anywhere measles outbreaks are ongoing, are eligible for an early dose of the vaccine

Children 4-years-old, or older, who are attending daycare, going to dayhomes or going to school within the affected areas, and have not yet received their second dose of the vaccine, should have it as soon as possible

AHS said children who have already received both doses of the vaccine, don’t require any more doses.

For infants receiving the vaccine under the new schedule, officials said they should still get an additional dose at 12 months, followed by the normal dose between 4 and 6 years.

Symptoms of measles include: fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius or higher, a cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes and a red, blotchy rash that starts behind the ears, before spreading to the face and then to the rest of the body.

If anyone notices these symptoms, they’re asked to call Health Link at 1-866-408-5465.

No mass vaccination clinics are planned, the vaccines are available at public health centres – officials said they would be adding evening and weekend hours, and appointments can be booked by calling Health Link.

With files from Brenna Rose