Grey Bruce Public Health is advising the community of steps being taken in the event of a measles case being reported at a local school.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra says in a media release that due to high vaccination rates for measles in local schools, there is no need for Public Health to call for a closure.
He says that if a case of measles is reported, students and staff who are not fully vaccinated will be temporarily excluded from school until it is safe to return, but everyone who is up-to-date on their vaccines can continue to attend.
A measles infection typically starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and a sore throat, after which a rash can begin to develop. The red rash usually starts on the face and then spreads down the body three to seven days after cold-like symptoms begin.
Grey Bruce Public Health says that vaccination is the best defence against measles, with one dose of the vaccine being 93% effective, and two doses being nearly 100% effective.
By contrast, more than 90% of those who are not immune through either vaccination or previous infection will become infected if exposed.
They add that those who were born before 1970 are considered to be naturally immune to the virus, and in the event of a case at school, they will continue to attend without disruption.
According to current vaccination rate numbers, 10% of staff and students are at risk of being excluded in the event of a measles case. Public Health also says that it’s up to the administration to close the school if staffing levels are too low, but that is not a decision for Grey Bruce Public Health.
