Dear MLK Families,
As you may know from media reports there is one confirmed case of measles at Burns Park Elementary with potentially two other unconfirmed but probable cases. The school district is working very closely with the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health and is following their established protocols. At this time there are no other cases reported at any other Ann Arbor Public School.
Measles is considered an eradicated disease. There are less then 100 cases across the U.S. each year this is why even one case is considered an epidemic and medical personnel act quickly when it is confirmed. You should know that the confirmed case and the probable cases occurred in children who had the complete MMR vaccinations. Public Health informs us that the vaccinations offers 99% protection. Because they were immunized the children who have the symptoms experienced very light cases of the disease.
The Department of Public Health has required that all students at Burns Park who do not have up-to-date immunizations or have signed immunization waivers to be out of school for 21 days based on the onset of the disease or until they receive the MMR immunization. This is to protect their health. The Department of Public Health is urging every child to be immunized with the MMR vaccinations.
Adults who work in schools and are unsure of their own immunization records may want to consider a booster shot. More information about this can be found HERE or by calling the Washtenaw County Department of Public Health.
The district will continue to keep us informed of any further developments which I will pass on to you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Karr
