As students head back to the classroom, school leaders across the region are watching a disease many parents and even doctors haven’t had to think about in year
As students head back to the classroom, school leaders across the region are watching a disease many parents and even doctors haven’t had to think about in years: measles.
Measles cases have been rising in Pennsylvania, and one local pediatrician is warning families that the highly contagious virus can be far more serious than a fever and rash.
Back-to-school season brings children back into close contact, and health professionals are urging parents to keep measles on their radar. Dr. Venkata Dharbhamulla, a local pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Conemaugh Health System, said many doctors in the U.S. have never even seen a case of measles, but he has, and he said it can be severe.
“The perception of what measles is, it's not just a fever and a little rash. It does way more than that. It can actually be devastating for certain age groups,” Dharbhamulla said.
Local school leaders said they are monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond if an exposure happens inside a school.
Central Cambria Superintendent Jason Moore said district nurses stay in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and follow the district’s communicable disease policy.
In Greater Johnstown, Assistant Superintendent Michael Dadey said the district has not made significant changes specifically because of recent measles activity, but remains prepared to respond.
Dharbhamulla said concerns about possible exposure are already reaching his office, including a family worried their child may have been exposed through someone connected to a confirmed case.
“There was a patient who had a concern that the child got exposed to someone who was in the house. And we're investigating as to how close the contact was...and actually the person was in contact with somebody who's positive. So that is the reason why it becomes critical,” he said.
Dharbhamulla said measles can spread before someone knows they have it, and infectious particles can remain in the air for up to two hours. His biggest message to parents is to check their child’s MMR vaccination status.
Pennsylvania requires two MMR doses for school-age children, with some exemptions. With children returning to crowded classrooms, Dharbhamulla said vaccination is especially important because of how easily measles spreads.
“If someone finds out their child or even adult gets exposed to someone with measles, you have a 72-hour window where actually you can get the vaccine. I would strongly, strongly recommend--the vaccine is so effective and the disease is so dreadful--to get vaccinated,” he said.
The state also recommends schools review immunization records, have a plan to identify and separate a student with possible measles, and work with health officials if there is a suspected case.
Dharbhamulla said parents who are unsure whether their child is protected should contact their pediatrician.
