Measles Outbreak Sparks Concern

Up until this moment, Pennsylvania had not faced a measles outbreak since 1991. Unfortunately, a huge measles outbreak has swept through Pennsylvania with over 1,000 reported cases spanning across 41 counties. These include Lancaster, York, and, locally, Chester County. With over 176 hospitalizations and 5 deaths, the measles can feel frightening, but measures have been taken to protect the community.

The high school has taken many steps to prevent the spread of measles in the school community and has protocol set in the event of a case. Luckily, the measles outbreak has yet to affect the district because there have been no cases. Although the high school hasn’t been affected, the district has taken steps to inform students, staff, and families about the outbreak and protocol in the event of a case. The school nurses and district office have taken steps in preparation of a measles outbreak and have been working hard behind the scenes to keep us safe.

The superintendent, Dr. Tim Hoffman, has communicated with the district’s staff and families to help keep us safe, even stating, “we have taken proactive measures across the district, including regular and transparent communications with staff and families to promote awareness and collect immunity status. Additionally, we emphasized proper hygiene practices and staying home when sick.” It is beneficial for everyone to be informed because once people can understand the severity of the disease and the need to prevent the spread they can take personal steps with this motive behind them.

The MMR vaccine prevents measles, mumps and rubella, and when two doses are administered, it provides 97 percent effective immunity from all three diseases. Principal, Mr. Patrick Crater, stated “97.7 percent of students and staff at Unionville High School have the MMR vaccine.” These high levels of vaccination make the possibility of an outbreak extremely low, but never zero. Thankfully, the high school has many more policies in place due to coronavirus which regard vaccination and preventing the spread of disease.

Although vaccination of teachers is not required, teachers are asked to submit whatever immunization or vaccination records that they have. Teachers do not need to be vaccinated or even submit their records whether they are or not, but most do. In case a teacher is unable to find their immunization records, but wish to prove their vaccination, they can do the titer test, a blood test that proves immunization.

The community’s high levels of immunization should protect residents from an outbreak, but in the event of a school outbreak, the health department guidelines state that anyone exposed to the disease who is not vaccinated may have to be quarantined from school for 21 days. In case of an outbreak as staff members can prove vaccination and wouldn’t need to quarantine, allowing them to return to school.

An outbreak has not become reality for Unionville High School, but it has for Oxford Area High School. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oxford closed Friday, October 9 after a confirmed measles case and stayed closed until Monday, October 12 after the district had collected staff’s immunization records. Oxford’s superintendent, David Woods, stated that the district is working with health officials to sanitize the school and make sure everyone who qualifies is properly quarantined. The same student also attends TCHS’s Pennock’s Bridge Campus which moved to virtual learning on Thursday, October 8 through Monday, October 12.

Although the measles cases appear to be getting closer and closer, the community is well-prepared and protected against the measles outbreak due to high levels of vaccination and safety protocol.