A respiratory illness outbreak was declared Tuesday by Alberta Health Services (AHS) at Cochrane’s Glenbow Elementary School due to a large number of sick students.
Parents received a letter from AHS informing them of the outbreak and advising that the germs causing the illness can easily be spread from one child to another through coughing and secretions from the nose and mouth.
Respiratory illness symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss or altered sense of taste/smell, runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, and may also include fatigue (significant and unusual), muscle ache/joint pain, headache, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
AHS advises that students:
- regularly clean their hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer, or wash with soap and water for 20 seconds
- cough or sneeze into their sleeves or cover their mouths with tissue
- throw used tissues away immediately then throw used tissues away
Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask can help reduce the spread of the disease but AHS says in the letter they will support students who chose not to wear a mask.
For influenza and COVID-19, staying up-to-date with vaccinations is an important step in protecting yourself and others. Information on booking an appointment can be found at ahs.ca/vaccine.
“Students who are ill with respiratory symptoms should stay at home until their symptoms have improved, they have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, and they feel well enough to resume regular activities,” the letter states.
Parents can visit the AHS Health, Education and Learning (HEAL) website for advice from experts on managing specific symptoms and for guidance on when to seek medical care.
For more information contact Healthlink Alberta at 811.
