Measles outbreak prompts expert investigation at US elementary school

21 February 2024 , 18:19

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With nearly 200 students absent, and a sixth diagnosed case of measles, one Florida school is bringing back Covid-era cleaning measures

On Tuesday afternoon, another case of measles was found in Broward, Florida, making the total number six.

Manatee Bay Elementary School had 200 students missing from class on Tuesday. Superintendent Doctor Peter Licata visited the school to comfort the worried staff, students and parents, despite the outbreak. District leaders don't see any problems across the county because all known confirmed cases are at one school, and shutting a school in Florida is not that simple.

Currently, the Florida Department of Health is doing an investigation around the many cases of measles at the primary school in Weston. "We are not allowed to keep children from coming to school. But if the state feels that's in the best interest, they'll deem that as a state of emergency for the school and be able to keep students that are not vaccinated from the school, but that's their decision. We don't have that authority," said superintendant Licata.

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Officials from the Florida Department of Health say they're finding people who were close to those with the virus, but they haven't given any emergency order yet. Until then, District officials can only clean and sanitise the school.

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Earlier, an official from Broward Schools shared a statement that partly said: "We received updated information from the Florida Department of Health Broward regarding one additional confirmed case of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School."

The agency said: "Please note all details regarding the investigation are confidential. DOH-Broward is continuously working with all partners including Broward County Public Schools and local hospitals to identify contacts that are at risk of transmission."

The school district has ordered new air filters for the school and a special machine will clean every surface, just like during COVID-19. Stacey Zannini, a parent, said: "I mean, obviously you have concerns but my children are vaccinated."

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Jared Andres, another parent, said: "We went through the pandemic a couple years ago and everybody kind of knows the situation. If you're vaccinated, it is what it is. I mean you're gonna send your kid to school, do what you can."

More than 50 kids who are either showing symptoms or at high risk have been seen at Memorial Healthcare. Because measles is so contagious, doctors are telling parents not to bring their kids to the emergency room unless they really need to. Instead, they should call a paediatrician first.

School board member Debbie Hixon said: "This really has been confined to that particular area and I know people have come through the hospital but there have not been confirmed cases, just people coming in concerned." Dr. Ronald Ford from Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital warned: "Parents of children who aren't immune need to be very vigilant now that we know measles is in our community,"

Manatee Bay Elementary School has a lot of students, 1,100 in fact, but 86 kids there haven't had their measles jab. "They're our biggest concern, because they're the most vulnerable to this infection and to develop the full measles picture with all the symptoms," Ford explained.

Those at DOH-Broward have told doctors that if you've had your MMR shots, you're 98% safe from getting measles. Some mums and dads made sure their kids were protected. "That was the first thing, I double-checked right away to actually make sure they had both of their doses when they were little just to make sure I had that peace of mind," Zannini shared.

DOH-Broward says measles is easy to catch and can stick around in the air or on stuff for two hours. If you're around it and not vaccinated, there's more than a 90% chance you'll get it.

Symptoms usually start showing up eight to 14 days after you catch it, but it could take up to 21 days. You can spread measles four days before you get the rash and four days after. Measles can be serious and lead to things like pneumonia and brain swelling.

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The main sign of measles is a rash that starts on the face and neck, then spreads to the rest of the body. But, DOH-Broward says other signs can include a high temperature, a cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

Yelena Mandenberg