Multiple schools report respiratory illness outbreaks

By ZOE MASON on December 13, 2025.

Seven Medicine Hat schools have reported a respiratory illness outbreak, according to AHS, due to a cluster of students sick with symptoms.

Outbreak are being reported at Dr. Ken Sauer, George Davison, Medicine Hat Christian, River Heights Crestwood STEM, Ross Glen and Herald schools.

Respiratory illness symptoms reported include cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss or altered sense of taste and smell, runny nose and nasal congestion and fever, and may also include fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Alberta Health Services says if children are feeling ill they should stay home until symptoms have improved and they have been free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

The provincial health service is also reminding the public that germs which cause respiratory illnesses can be easily spread from one student to another by coughing and secretions from the nose and mouth.

George Davison Elementary School cancelled its winter concert Wednesday following reports of an outbreak of respiratory illness.

A Dec. 10 letter from Alberta Health Services shared on the school’s webpage alerted parents of students at George Davison of a large number of students sick with a respiratory illness at the school.

While typical respiratory illness is due to seasonal respiratory viruses, the letter also notes “ongoing and recent circulation” of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

A Primary and Preventative Health Services official told the News there is no current outbreak in the South zone, and current circulation reflects “routine, endemic levels.”

The AHS letter reminds parents that whooping cough can last for weeks or months without treatment and can be dangerous for young children, especially infants under one year of age.

Pertussis vaccination can help prevent severe illness. AHS reminds families to keep up with immunizations, including COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, and keep students who are ill with respiratory symptoms at home until symptoms improve. Immunization appointments can be booked at ahs.ca/vaccine.

Southern Alberta has experienced outbreaks of whooping cough before, including most recently in 2023, when 146 cases were recorded in the South zone region including Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. That outbreak closed in 2024.

The school released a statement on social media Wednesday announcing cancellation of the concert.

“We are so sad to cancel our Winter Concert this afternoon and this evening, but feel we must take measures to based on the information from AHS,” reads the statement.

Officials say they hope to reschedule the concert for sometime in January.

To help prevent the spread of these germs, AHS says it’s important to perform regular hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and making sure frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches and bathroom taps remain clean and disinfected.

— with files from Brendan Miller

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