Unimmunized students told to stay home in measles scare
At least 40 students and eight staff at a Red Deer, Alta., elementary school who have not been immunized for measles are being told to stay home.
Students and staff at Mattie McCullough Elementary School were exposed to the airborne virus earlier this month.
Today Dr. Digby Horne, central Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health, barred the students from school and after-hours school activities for the next three weeks if they can't provide proof of immunization.
"They've been isolated at home," he said.
Nonetheless the school is helping house-bound students to do their work.
"The school has actually put together work that students can do at home and for each grade level ... and our staff members who are at home have also been provided with tasks," said Piet Langstraaten, public school superintendent.
While the students and staff wait to see if they are infected with measles, Horne said similar precautions will be applied at health care facilities in the region.
"We have notified health care workers to bring their immunizations up to date or show proof of antibodies — particularly physicians — or they could be excluded as well," he said.
