Health leaders in Wake County detailed their preparation and response plan if a measles case were to find its way into Wake County Schools.
There are 24 confirmed cases in North Carolina so far this year. Most of the cases have been closer to the Charlotte area, though there have been reports in Johnston and Nash counties.
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There have been no confirmed cases in Wake County, despite several exposures about a month ago. However, with an outbreak currently unfolding in South Carolina, health leaders brought the topic to the table at a joint meeting between Wake County Commissioners and the Wake County School Board.
“We know that our residents are very transient and spend time in neighboring states,” said Rebecca Kaufman, the director of Wake County Public Health.
Families around Wake County may notice an increase in measles testing, which does not indicate that there has been a rise in measles cases around the area.
If a student’s test were to come back positive, the state lab would send that information to the Wake County health department, which would communicate with the respective school.
Each school within the district has been asked to have a designated person to serve as a liaison between that school and the health department. Schools have also been asked to identify an isolation room that would be different from a standard school nurse’s office to reduce the risk of spread to other students and staff.
“In the months, obviously, this will impact schools and community settings, and we’ll be working closely with the school health team,” Kaufman said.
All public school students are required by state law to have immunization records that reflect they’ve gotten their Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine. If proof is not provided by the 30th day of school attendance and the student does not have a medical or religious exemption, there could be an exclusion from school until the record is in place.