No measles exposure at Selkirk Montessori, according to school officials

No measles exposure at Selkirk Montessori, according to school officials
CHEK

Island Health is asking parents of students to check their vaccine records. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Island Health is asking parents of students to check their vaccine records. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Officials at Selkirk Montessori school said the possible measles exposure has turned out to be a false alarm.

Penny Barner, executive director of the Pacific Montessori Society, which operates the school, said Monday evening that a younger sibling of a student who was thought to possibly have measles has tested negative for the disease.

Island Health was in the process of contacting parents of approximately 300 students who may have been exposed to measles at Selkirk Montessori School in Victoria.

“Island Health has received lab reports from the latest suspected measles case and those results have come back negative,” reads a statement from Island Health released late Monday.

“As a result, the potential exposure sites listed today are no longer considered exposure sites.  They include Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Walmart Supercentre on Saanich Road, and Selkirk Montessori School.”

The health authority confirmed earlier Monday it is investigating a suspected case of measles on southern Vancouver Island and it is contacting families to advise they may have been exposed to measles from April 8-12, 2019.

Island Health Medical Health Officer, Dr. Dee Hoyano, had instructed unvaccinated children at Selkirk Montessori School to not attend school beginning April 15, 2019, and that they not attend any congregated settings until after May 3, 2019.

According to Barner, there was about “a handful” of students who would have had to stay home for 21 days but they will be welcomed back Tuesday now that there has been no exposure.

For more information on the MMR vaccine, visit Immunize BC here. There are also the following measles information lines:

  • South Island: 250-544-7676 ext. 27545

  • Nanaimo/Ladysmith/Gabriola: 250-755-3388

  • Courtenay/Comox Valley: 250-331-8599

  • Campbell River and area: 250-850-2120

  • Mt. Waddington/Port Hardy: 250-902-6079

 

CHEK NewsCHEK News

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!