The Chinook's Edge School Division has received a precautionary letter from Alberta's chief medical officer about this year's outbreak of measles, noting hundreds of susceptible persons have been exposed to the disease in a school setting.
The April 16 letter from James Talbot, chief medical officer of health, was immediately sent to all Chinook's Edge schools, said Sandy Bexon, the division's communications officer.
Bexon added the issue is “completely” in the hands of public health officials and that the division would “always follow their lead.
“If there is an eventuality that there is a case of measles in one of our school communities we would still take the lead from them,” said Bexon. “They would determine the next steps that need to be taken and we would assist them in communicating that to families.”
As of April 22, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported there has been 16 confirmed cases in the province this year, with the latest being an adult male near Redwater and Bon Accord.
Between January 2001 and December 31, 2011, there were only 25 cases of measles reported in all of Alberta. Of the 16 confirmed cases in Alberta this year, seven have been from Calgary, six in the central region and three in the Edmonton zone.
Bexon said there have been no cases reported within the Chinook's Edge school system this year and none she is aware in the seven years she has been with Chinook's Edge.
“If the public health people have to take any action they would notify us and we would work with them,” said Bexon. “It would still be their lead in the event something happened and measles appeared in any of our communities.”
In his letter, Talbot said measles can spread rapidly within a school, and once identified, AHS public health staff will immediately initiate efforts to identify at-risk students and staff.
“AHS public health will review the immunization records for exposed students and staff and look for documentation of immunity, including having received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine at the appropriate ages and intervals,” said Talbot in his letter. “Persons who do not have documentation of immunity should get immunized. This is the best way to prevent being infected by measles and to reduce the risk of spread of measles if an exposure in the school does occur.”
He said to diminish the risk of measles in schools and to protect those at highest risk, susceptible individuals in contact with an infectious case – including students, teachers and volunteers -- will be excluded from a school.
Talbot said if symptoms of measles do develop, students, staff and volunteers are advised to avoid contact with other people, stay home and call Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465) or their family physician for additional instructions.
Anyone who is uncertain of their immunization history, or their child's, can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465).
For additional information on measles citizens can visit the AHS website at www.albertahealthservices.ca
"If the public health people have to take any action they would notify us."Sandy BexonChinook's Edge spokesperson
