PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Editor's note: This article has been updated after Pflugerville ISD clarified that no students have been diagnosed with measles at Windemere Elementary School.
This week, Pflugerville ISD officials stated that an elementary school student was diagnosed with measles. However, in an update on Friday, officials clarified that is not the case.
The district sent a notification to parents on Wednesday after a student at Windermere Elementary School was reportedly diagnosed by their doctor. District officials said that while measles is highly contagious, they didn't anticipate seeing any additional cases.
However, Friday morning, Austin Public Health (APH) said it had no confirmed cases of measles. KVUE then reached out to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which said it also did not have any confirmed cases.
The DSHS said measles is a "notifiable condition" in Texas and that health care providers have instructions to immediately call their local health department – or DSHS regional office, if there is no local health department – with case information.
In an update Friday afternoon, Pflugerville ISD and Windemere Elementary officials confirmed that "the parent who called the case into the nurse was incorrect," but the nurse did follow protocol by notifying parents and informing APH of the report. APH then researched the report and determined it was not a case of measles.
"We want to assure you that there is no confirmed case of measles at Windermere Elementary," Principal Jennifer MacAllister said in a follow-up letter to families. "We understand that this situation may have caused worry, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion."
MacAllister wrote that staff "acted swiftly" to share the initial report to ensure students' health and safety and, while the information turned out to be incorrect, Windemere remains "committed to keeping [families] informed about any potential health concerns."
She also wrote that to prevent a similar incident in the future, Windemere will be reviewing its notification and communication protocols.
"Our goal is to ensure that information is verified as thoroughly as possible before being shared with the community while still addressing potential health concerns promptly and responsibly," MacAllister said.
Measles statistics and symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been only 277 cases of measles reported nationwide this year. Measles was declared to have been eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
The CDC says measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing or close contact. Symptoms usually start with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash may follow that usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
The CDC notes that measles can be serious, especially in young children. It can also lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and death in rare cases.
However, two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are highly effective, providing about 97% protection against the virus. One dose can be about 93% effective.
MMR vaccines are required for school entry in Texas, but families can get exemptions.