Measles outbreak spreads to Samo ITC

In a statement released on Sunday Feb. 1, Superintendent Sandra Lyon confirmed that a child in Samo’s Infant Toddler Center has been diagnosed with measles. This particular instance follows an additional case of measles on campus, in which a freshman baseball coach contracted the disease.According to Lyon, the district is working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) in order to monitor and combat the potential threat posed by the infant’s diagnosis. In an interview with the LA Times, district spokeswoman Gail Pinsker stated that the DPH has instructed Samo to close down the infant and toddler center until further notice.Pinsker also confirmed that 14 infants, who are too young to be vaccinated, are currently under a 21-day quarantine period.Prior to entering kindergarten, SMMUSD students are required to be vaccinated for a range of contagious viruses, including Polio, Chicken Pox and Measles. However, according to a study conducted by the LA Times, the district is experiencing declining immunization rates — often, many parents opt out of vaccinating their children, citing personal or religious beliefs. As measured by the LA Times, 7% of Samo students were granted vaccine waivers.

Still, the district actively encourages parents to ensure student vaccinations, considering that students with immuno- deficiency disorders are especially susceptible to contracting the disease.“SMMUSD has students in the dis- trict who are “immune deficient” due to a variety of medical conditions,” the district said in a press release. “Exposure to un- immunized children poses a risk to these students whose immune systems are un- able to protect them. The more district and community members who are immunized, the safer the environment for these fragile students.”According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), measles is a highly con- tagious viral illness, which often begins with a high fever, runny nose, coughing, red eyes and sore throat. Those infected often develop a distinct rash across the body. In more serious cases, measles can lead to complications including pneumonia and encephalitus.As confirmed by a recent health alert published by the CDC, the United States is in the midst of a multi-state measles outbreak that began at Disneyland Resort Theme Parks in Orange County, CA. As of Feb. 2, the California Department of Public Health confirms that 101 nationwide cases of measles are either directly or indirectly related to the Disneyland outbreak.eic@thesamohi.com