Measles Case at St. Pete Catholic High School Amid National Spike | Florida News
- — A case of measles has been confirmed in a student at St.
- According to a letter sent to parents and guardians, the affected student, a sophomore, has not been on school grounds since January 27th.
- Despite the confirmed case, the school intends to maintain its regular schedule of classes and activities.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A case of measles has been confirmed in a student at St. Petersburg Catholic High School, adding to a growing number of cases reported across the United States. The confirmation, made by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, comes as health officials nationwide express concern over declining vaccination rates and the potential for wider outbreaks.
According to a letter sent to parents and guardians, the affected student, a sophomore, has not been on school grounds since . “We were just made aware that one of our sophomore students has a confirmed case of measles,” the letter reads. “The student in question has not been present at school since January 27th and we are unaware of any additional cases at this time.” School officials are working with local health authorities to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of students and staff.
Despite the confirmed case, the school intends to maintain its regular schedule of classes and activities. This decision is based on the exceptionally high vaccination rate within the student body, with 99.2%
of students vaccinated against measles, according to the diocese. The diocesan policy does allow for medical exemptions granted by licensed physicians.
The case at St. Petersburg Catholic High School is not isolated. The Florida Department of Health reported one case each in Hillsborough and Manatee Counties in . Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented a significant increase in measles cases in recent months. While only one or two weekly cases were reported in early , the week of saw 279 cases reported – a dramatic increase that has prompted warnings from public health officials.
Dr. Patrick Mularoni, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, explained that the resurgence of measles is linked to growing vaccine hesitancy. We’re seeing a lot more vaccine hesitancy, and measles spreads very easily. So, those that are unvaccinated were bound to get it and spread it,
he said. He emphasized the highly contagious nature of the virus, stating that measles is more contagious than the common cold, and that up to ten out of ten unvaccinated individuals in a room with an infected person could contract the disease.
The initial symptoms of measles can be deceptively mild, often presenting as a cough, runny nose, fever, and red eyes. Dr. Mularoni cautioned that these early symptoms can appear seven to ten days before the characteristic rash develops, providing ample time for the virus to spread unknowingly. This delayed onset of the rash, combined with a decline in familiarity with the disease among medical professionals, could lead to misdiagnosis.
The one thing about measles is it has very subtle symptoms, and most providers haven’t seen it. You know, we’ve been vaccinating for so long, and it’s been relatively well-contained in the United States. Many providers might not know it if they see it,
Dr. Mularoni noted.
The CDC recommends a vaccination rate of at least 95% to achieve herd immunity, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants too young to receive the vaccine or individuals with compromised immune systems. However, vaccination coverage in Florida among kindergarteners was 88.8% during the school year. Nationwide, vaccination coverage has fallen from 95.2% in the school year to 92.5% last school year, leaving an estimated 286,000 U.S. Kindergarteners vulnerable.
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has advised parents to keep children home and seek medical attention if they exhibit any symptoms of measles. Dr. Mularoni recommends that parents call their doctor’s office before bringing in a potentially infected child, particularly given the vulnerability of infants who are typically vaccinated between 12 and 15 months of age.
The re-emergence of measles serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. While the high vaccination rate at St. Petersburg Catholic High School offers a degree of protection, the broader trend of declining vaccination rates raises concerns about the potential for more widespread outbreaks, not only in Florida but across the United States.