Christian school in West Montrose listed as potential measles exposure location

A empty teacher's desk is pictured in an empty classroom at Mcgee Secondary school in Vancouver on Sept. 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Students who attend a Christian school in West Montrose may have been exposed to the measles virus.

The Region of Waterloo said someone with the illness was at Foundation Christian School at 28 Katherine Street South on May 29 and May 30 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Anyone who may have been exposed is encouraged to complete a measles self-assessment on the region’s website and monitor for symptoms until June 20.

What to know about measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness.

Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.

It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.