As many in our community are aware a number of individuals in the Oakland County area have been diagnosed with measles. Because of the highly contagious nature of the illness we are closely monitoring updates and new information about the spread of new cases.
It was reported in yesterday’s news that a student at Derby Middle School in Birmingham was diagnosed with measles. A letter sent home to Derby parents from the school district Sunday said:
The Oakland County Health Department has shared with us that there was a confirmed case of measles at Derby Middle School on Friday, March 29. We are following guidelines from the Oakland County Health Department, which includes the exclusion of students that are not vaccinated or under vaccinated. In the case of measles, the exclusion period is 21 days from the date the exposure occurred. The health and wellbeing of our students are top priority and we are adhering to health guidelines set by our county and state. We look forward to the return of all of our students as quickly as possible.
The letter went on to say that Birmingham Public School District is working with the Oakland County Health Department in regard to the outbreak. The Health Department provided the attached press release for all schools and child care programs; it includes an overview on measles and the guidance the health department is providing schools. Please take a moment to review the link below:
The Roeper School also works closely with Oakland County Health Department and follows Michigan law when it comes to vaccination protocols. We require all of our students to be vaccinated, and in a rare set of circumstances, meet the legal requirements for exemption.
While there are no diagnosed cases of measles currently in The Roeper School community, care and vigilance is critical to maintain the health and safety of our students, teachers, and families. It is imperative that we communicate with each other as we take care of our health and wellbeing. Please know we will continue to communicate with the Oakland County Health Department as they monitor the illnesses in our area, and we will work collaboratively with the agency to minimize the risk to our community.