A rash illness outbreak has been declared at Cochrane Christian Academy, and Alberta Health Services is asking parents to remain wary of any signs.
In a letter sent to parents and guardians, it outlines that there is an increase in the number of students with rash-illness. Although rashes can be safely monitored at home, AHS recommend that any child who develops a rash within the next 10 days to see a physician for an assessment.
Germs that cause rash illness can spread between students. To minimize the spread of any rash illness, AHS recommends the following steps:
Do not send your child to school if he/she is ill.
- Ensure that your child and others in your household perform hand hygiene frequently by washing their hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub.
- Promote and remind your child and family members to practice respiratory etiquette:
- Cough and sneeze into their sleeve.
- Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Throw away used tissues immediately after sneezing, coughing, or wiping their nose.
- Perform hand hygiene as described above.
- Clean surfaces that are frequently touched such as doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom taps.
- Immunization is an important public health measure, and all families, children and staff are encouraged to complete their routine immunizations.
Parents are asked to please inform Cochrane Christian Academy if their children develop new rashes. Students with mild illness (e.g., no fever or fatigue) that feel well enough to participate fully in regular activities may be allowed to return or remain in school.
AHS asks to keep children home from new activities where others have not previously been exposed to your child (e.g. weekly club or dance classes, public events) until your child’s rash has scabbed over.
To ask more questions about rash-illness please call Health Link at 811. For more information, please visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
