Fraser Health Authority is issuing a warning to students and staff at Maple Ridge Secondary School who may have been exposed to a case of measles on Sept. 4.
The authority recommends all students and staff review their MMR immunization status.
Fraser Health says all staff and students who have not had measles disease or two doses of MMR vaccine in the past should get vaccinated. A free MMR vaccine clinic is being held Friday, Sept. 7, at the school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students and staff (born on or after Jan. 1, 1970) who have had zero doses of MMR need to receive a dose by Monday, Sept. 10, or Fraser Health says they will not be allowed to return to school until Sept. 26, 2018.
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BC Ferries
Fraser Health is warning any passengers who were on the BC Ferries sailing from Tsawwassen to Mayne Island on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. of a possible exposure to measles as this student was on the ferry. In addition, Island Health is warning that this same traveller is believed to have visited the Saturna Lighthouse Pub on Saturna Island, on Monday, Sept. 3, between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A case of measles has been confirmed aboard this vessel. The case was infectious on the voyage, potentially exposing other passengers to measles.
“If you travelled on this ferry during this time period, check your immunization status. You are most at risk of measles infection if you are completely unvaccinated against measles,” Fraser Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Ingrid Tyler said in a release. “If you develop any of the symptoms and have a fever, call your doctor and inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. They will arrange to see you in a manner that avoids infecting other patients in the waiting room.”
Most people are protected from measles either by immunization, or by having measles infection in the past.
Fraser Health says measles is highly infectious and spreads easily through the air. Symptoms can start between seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, rash, red eyes, cough, runny nose. Anyone with symptoms should alert Public Health immediately so steps can be taken to prevent infecting others.