Japanese students quarantined in Banff hotel

A large school group from Japan has been quarantined ina hotel in the Rocky Mountain resort town ofBanff after possibly beingexposed to measles.

The quarantine of about 130 people, mostly Japanesehigh school students,is strictly precautionary,Dr. Judy MacDonald, a medical officer of healthwith the Calgary Health Region, said Monday.

The name of the hotel was not released.

One member of the tour group started showing symptoms after arriving in Vancouver on a flight from Tokyo last week.Shestayed behind in Vancouver, but lab tests haven't yet confirmed she has the measles.

"It's likely that the individual who has got the possible case of measles was exposed in Japan, certainly with all of the activity that is going on there with measles. And her development of symptoms was consistent with exposure there," said MacDonald.

Recent outbreaks in Tokyo have forced the closure of many schools and universities, she said.

The rest of the group flew to Calgary on Sunday and took a bus to Banff where they are being tested for their immunity to measles.The results are expected Tuesday. If the touristsaren't immune, they will be vaccinated.

Health officials in B.C. and Alberta are trying to reach other people who may have been exposed, including people who were on the group's flight from Tokyo to Vancouver.

Julie Canning, a spokeswomanwith the Banff-Lake Louise Tourism Bureau, saidthe health region's handling of the situation should only boost the confidence of visitors to the mountain resort town.

"We have a really good opportunity right now,I think, to demonstrate the standards we do have in Banff.We are absolutely steadfast in our unwavering commitment to health and safety standards."

Second measles scare this month

Earlier this month, officials with the Calgary Health Region were trying to track down people who arrived on a British Airways flight from England after three passengers came down with the measles.

According to the health region, measles is a highly contagious infectious disease spread by airborne droplets or close personal contact with someone infected.

Symptoms of red measles, the most severe type, include a high fever; a harsh, dry cough; a runny nose; and red, puffy eyes that are sensitive to light. For part of the time, the patient will have a rash.

It can take seven to 18 days for the disease to develop after exposure. There is no cure or treatment. Complications can lead to deafness, blindness or continuing disability.