“Yesterday, we took blood samples to test their immunity to the virus and if they may have been exposed to the disease,” Bruce Conway, a spokesman for the Calgary Health Authority, told AFP by telephone.

The 128 students and two adults have no symptoms, he added.

Many in the group were deemed immune and others would be given a blood solution containing antibodies, called an “immune globulin,” to protect against infections, he said.

The tourists arrived in Vancouver from Tokyo on Thursday. After landing, a woman in the group showed symptoms of measles and was checked into a local hospital.

Sunday, they flew to Calgary without her and then traveled by bus to the mountain resort.

Measles is caused by a virus, spread easily through contact or respiration.

Symptoms include coughing, fever, runny nose, red eyes, and an itchy rash covering most of the body. Among adults, complications may include diarrhea, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and in rare cases, death.

Occurrences in Canada are unusual due to vaccination programs.

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