With measles cases appearing in Calgary, both Alberta Health Services and the Calgary Board of Education are following precautions to keep the virus away from schools. 

In Alberta, there are now 18 measles cases with two being detected in Calgary. All but one of those cases are in the 0 to 18 age group.

Children are most at risk of contracting measles under five years old, according to Alberta Health. Because of this, both AHS and CBE are providing resources to help prevent the virus from spreading into schools.  

“The Calgary Board of Education takes the health and safety of our students and staff seriously,” said CBE in an emailed statement. 

CBE is following Alberta Health Services guidelines at this time. On March 18, CBE shared a measles information guide on behalf of AHS to families of children attending CBE schools.  In that note to parents, staff and volunteers, they said that there were no confirmed measles cases at their schools.

“At this time, no specific measles immunization clinics are planned in CBE schools. However, with the consent of parents, routine immunizations are provided by AHS in CBE schools,” said CBE.  

In the note to parents, it said if a case is confirmed at a CBE school, public health officials will immediately take over to reduce the risk of measles spreading.

Vaccines the best defense against measles infection: UCalgary prof

Measles is an airborne, viral infection that causes a rash, fever, cough and other symptoms. With measles being highly contagious, a classroom can easily spread the viral infection.

“If somebody with measles, for example, was to be symptomatic and they’re in a room and then leave, that room may still contain infectious measles particles, even for an hour or more after that individual has left,” said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. 

“We have seen in other jurisdictions that if children with measles come to school before they see that rash, they can still be infectious.”

Vaccinations are important when it comes to fighting off the measles virus, Jenne said. With the vaccine it is highly unlikely for an individual to be able to contract the virus. 

“The single best protection we have against measles is a full vaccination regime. So, for most people in Canada, that would be two doses of the measles vaccine,” he said. 

Without the measles vaccine, there is a higher chance of students being able to pass the virus onto each other at school. 

“Depending on the vaccine rates among their classmates or other populations of the school, we can actually see fairly rapid spread of this disease within those closed, indoor environments,” said Jenne. 

Parents and guardians can also put their own safety precautions in place to protect their children from a potential outbreak.

“Check that your child’s vaccination status is complete and up to date,” said Jenne.  

“Other simple things that continue to work if you’re not feeling well, I mean, even before you get the rash, if you’re showing symptoms of viral infection, fever, runny nose, things like that, please stay home.”