Highland High School confirmed two cases of measles last week. The infected students attended school and came into contact with other students and faculty.
In response to the exposure, the Salt Lake City School District sent messages to parents and students on February 17, 18, and 24 informing them of the possible risks. Students who came into direct contact received separate emails.
Audrey Bliss, secretary to principal Jeremy Chatterton, has handled much of the communication with the community.
“Between [ Highland] administration, the district office, and our districts nurses, we have a team of people that’s working [on the problem],” Bliss stated.
While measles exposure is a relatively rare problem within the Salt Lake City School district, Bliss said that applying state protocol and having a versed team of administrators and nurses helped mitigate the problem before it spread significantly.
Due to a variation of exposure and susceptibility, the district organized students and staff into three groups, low, medium, and high risk, dealing with the needs of each separately according to state protocol.
Low-risk students (anyone in the school including those who have been vaccinated and are not categorized as middle or high risk) were notified. Low-risk individuals were asked to routinely check for measles symptoms. The district also encourages students showing signs of measles — which initially include itchy eyes, runny nose, and a cough that appears 7-14 days after exposure – to get tested. An average of 2-3 days after the first symptoms emerge, kolpik spots in the mouth may appear. A further 1-3 days after the apparition of spots, a rash may manifest.
The administration has also required a small group of students and faculty deemed “high risk”, home for 21 days.
Another larger group of students, categorized as medium risk – this includes those who have been exempted from some or all of their vaccinations — are being routinely examined in the mornings for any symptoms before continuing to class.
“We have talked to them. They are aware there is a possibility,” Bliss said referring to the medium risk category. “We are checking for symptoms for the next 21 days… if they have symptoms, they go home.”
No students, after the initial two who have been sent home, have confirmed a case of the measles as of February 25. All students who are considered at risk have been contacted.
“If a student hasn’t seen me or Heather Perry, they are fine,” Bliss stated, emphasizing that most students are considered very low risk for contracting the virus.
