Precautions Taken at Laurel Elementary Due to Potential Case of Measles

At this time, the individual case has not been confirmed

(Laurel, Ind.) - The Franklin County Community School Corporation sent a notice out on Thursday stating that Laurel Elementary School has been notified of a potential case of measles involving an individual student. 

At this time, the case has not been confirmed. 

"Out of an abundance of caution, we are proceeding with additional precautions while we await further information. Our custodial team is increasing cleaning and disinfecting efforts throughout the building, particularly in frequently used and high-touch areas," said Superintendent Dustin Gehring. 

LES staff are also beginning to make early contact with families of students who may have had potential exposure and who school records indicate are not vaccinated against measles.

"This outreach is being done out of an abundance of caution and should not be interpreted as confirmation that an exposure or case has occurred. As we receive additional information, we will provide more specific guidance as appropriate," Gehring continued. 

Measles symptoms commonly include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.

Families of students who are not vaccinated against measles should be especially attentive to possible symptoms and should contact their healthcare provider for guidance regarding potential exposure and any additional precautions that may be appropriate.

If your child develops symptoms that could be consistent with measles, please keep your child home and contact your healthcare provider before bringing your child to school or entering a healthcare facility. Calling ahead allows the healthcare provider to take appropriate precautions and helps reduce the possibility of exposing others.

"We understand that receiving a notification like this can cause concern. We want to emphasize that we do not currently have a confirmed case of measles at Laurel Elementary School. We are sharing this information proactively because the health and safety of our students and staff are important to us, and we believe families should have the information necessary to monitor their children appropriately. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. If we learn that additional precautions or actions become necessary, we will communicate that information as quickly as possible," Gehring added.