At least three cases of measles have been confirmed at several different French schools in Vancouver.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) explains that there have been two cases at Jules-Verne Secondary School and one case at Anne-Hebert Elementary School.
See also
- Growing petition calls for mandatory vaccines in BC schools
- Vancouver Coastal Health confirms measles case in Metro Vancouver
- Vancouver Coastal Health confirms second case of measles this week
All three incidents have been lab-confirmed by VCH.
There is also a fourth suspected case at Rose-Des-Vants Elementary School.
It is unclear if these are the same cases that have been announced in the past week, however, more information is expected to be released this afternoon.
Tiffany Akins, Communications at VCH, comments that the cases are “unlikely to be connected with the recent outbreaks in the United States and Europe.”
“Many families have multiple children who attend both the secondary school and elementary schools, hence the crossover,” says Atkins.
Symptoms of measles:
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red and inflamed eyes (often sensitive to light), typically starting seven to 14 days after exposure.
These are followed three to seven days later by a rash, which starts first on the face and neck, and spreads to the chest, arms and legs, and lasts at least three days. You may also notice spots inside your mouth that look like small grains of sand on a red base.
- Check your immunization records to make sure you and your children have had two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). Your immunization record or your doctor can provide you with this information. Adults 18 years of age and older, born in or after 1970 require two doses of measles vaccine; children 12 months to less than 18 years of age, health care workers and adults attending post-secondary institutions are required to have two doses; those born before 1970 are generally considered immune.
- If your immunization record is not up-to-date, contact your local public health unit.
- Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles and should contact their health care professional immediately for further assessment.
- Watch for symptoms of measles until 21 days after exposure. These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose); sore eyes or sensitivity to light; small spots with a white centre on the inside of the mouth; and a red rash lasting four to seven days.
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