CALGARY – Health officials say students at a private school in the city’s southwest were not exposed to measles, as initially thought.
Earlier this month, Alberta Health Services warned students and staff at Clear Water Academy that they may have been exposed to the disease after a child who had contracted it visited the facility.
However, on Thursday AHS confirmed that laboratory tests had determined the student in question did not have measles after all.
“All restrictions on students, teachers and staff who were not known to be immune to measles are now lifted, effective immediately,” says Medical Officer of Health for Calgary Dr. Judy MacDonald. “Excluded students, teachers and staff can resume all activities previously restricted and can return to school.”
Measles is caused by a virus that is spread easily through the air. It’s very contagious, and anyone who has not had the disease in the past or has not been vaccinated is in danger of becoming infected.
“Though we have now ruled out measles in the Keller Hall student, we would like to remind everyone that measles disease continues to occur globally and could occur at any time in Calgary,” adds MacDonald. “The best protection is measles vaccine – two doses are recommended for anyone born in 1970 or later. Please contact your local public health office for more details.”
If you have any questions about measles, contact Health Link Alberta at 403 943-LINK (5465) in the Calgary area 1-866-408-LINK (5465) toll free outside the Calgary area.
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