Weber district schools prepare for measles with updated policies

SALT LAKE CITY — The Weber School District just sent parents its updated measles guidance policy.  Other districts like Nebo School district are still in the process of working with their health department to create guidelines.

They’re all trying to be proactive knowing that illness spreads rapidly in schools, and that more people are getting the measles than has been typical in recent decades.

Related: Utah hits 41 measles cases, wastewater testing underway

“I hate to say it but when you look at what’s happening, it may just be a matter of time before other districts are affected, and we start seeing these cases,” said Lane Findlay, public information and safety officer for Weber School District.

“We just want to make sure we have a good game plan in place to be able to deal with this and that will be in cooperation with the Weber-Morgan Health Department,” Findlay said.

What’s in Weber School District’s updated measles policy

The updated Weber School District policy states that students and staff who have not gotten the MMR vaccine may be asked to stay home from school for up to 21 days, or more, if there’s a case of measles at that school. They can also present lab-confirmed immunity.

And it seems most people are on-board with the policy.

“I knew exactly when that email was sent out because I immediately got a voicemail and it was a parent thanking us for being proactive and for doing what we can to keep students safe,” said Marie Evans, nurse supervisor with Weber School District.

This positive feedback is especially welcome following many years of vaccinations being a hot-button issue.  Families who choose to have their students exempt from vaccines have signed a form agreeing to these terms.

“If there is an outbreak at the school or an exposure, they may not be able to attend school. They’re aware of that when they get the exemption form,” said Evans.

School nurses are on high alert

Thus far, there are no confirmed cases in Weber County.  These are all preemptive measures. But all school nurses in the district are being put on high alert to watch for symptoms among students and staff.

According to the CDC, measles symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Koplik Spots — tiny white spots which appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin
• Measles rash — red or reddish-brown, flat or slightly raised spots which may blend together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.

The Weber-Morgan Health Department is partnering with Weber School District to host clinics where flu vaccines and MMR vaccines will be available.