Parents of students at Western Canada High School are concerned after learning that a case of measles has been confirmed at the school.
Dr. Judy MacDonald with Alberta Health Services says a student from the school was confirmed to have the measles on Friday and the principal was advised that others may have been exposed.
“It’s just a routine notification of individuals that may have been exposed and for them to watch for symptoms of measles over the next approximately two to three weeks and if they occur to let Health Link know,” said Dr. MacDonald.
The student took an exam at the school on January 10th and tested positive a week later.
Alberta Health Services is warning people that they could become infected if they are not vaccinated.
“Measles is one of our most infectious of the infectious diseases. Its spread through the virus that can be in small particles that can be expelled from someone when they cough or just walking through an air space and those small virus particles can stay suspended for up to two hours,” said Dr. Judy MacDonald with AHS.
The school sent a letter home to parents to explain the situation.
Alberta Health Services says close to 90 percent of students in the city have been vaccinated with all the routine child immunizations including measles.
For those who have not been immunized, symptoms could start showing up between seven and 21 days after exposure.
AHS says students at Western Canada should watch for things like red swollen eyes, a high fever and cough and say a rash will likely appear within three days after these symptoms show.
Those who show symptoms of the measles should call Health Link and stay home to prevent the spread of the infection.
For more information on measles, visit the Alberta Health Services website.
(With files from Elissa Carpenter)
