Editor’s Note: On Oct. 15, Pflugerville ISD told KXAN the parent “incorrectly” reported the measles diagnosis to the district. Austin Public Health determined there isn’t a measles case. This story has been updated.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Pflugerville Independent School District said Friday that a Windermere Elementary School parent incorrectly reported a case of measles to the school’s nurse. The district had issued a letter to staff and parents Thursday saying a student had been diagnosed with measles.
“We want to assure you that there is no confirmed case of measles at Windermere Elementary,” reads the ISD’s Friday letter. “We understand that this situation may have caused worry, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion. While the information turned out to be incorrect, we remain committed to keeping you informed about any potential health concerns.”
Pflugerville ISD said its staff reported the “case” to Austin Public Health, who researched it further. APH determined that the student did not have measles, the district said.
The district said it is required to notify families with students at the campus, but it will review its communication policies to avoid repeating the incident.
What is measles?
“Measles is a highly contagious — but rare — respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. It causes a total body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough and runny nose lasting 1 to 2 weeks,” said PfISD in its Thursday letter.
Measles is spread when someone “sneezes or coughs,” and can spread “virus droplets through the air and infect others,” the district health office said.
“It varies in each person how long it lasts. The most important thing they need to do, if you think you might have measles, is to stay home, because it is so contagious,” said Austin Regional Clinic Associate Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Elizabeth Knapp.
The first symptoms of measles, as provided by the PfISD Health Office, are:
- hacking cough
- runny nose
- high fever
- water red eyes
- Koplik’s spots; “small red spots with blue-white centers” inside the mouth
- Red or reddish brown, blotchy rash starting on the forehead
These symptoms can last for around two weeks. Those infected with the virus should “drink plenty of clear fluids,” use a “cool mist vaporizer” and get “extra rest,” the district said.
Knapp said a vaccine makes all the difference for how parents should respond for their child. Additionally, “90% of people who haven’t been vaccinated for measles will get it if they live in the same household as an infected person,” the district health office said.
“If your child was exposed and they are protected against their measles vaccine, then you really don’t have much to worry about,” Knapp said.
Texas’ measles history
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the measles vaccine cut rates of the illness by 99.9% Prior to that, Texas saw 85,862 cases in 1958.
Since then, only two outbreaks have occurred in Texas, one in 2013 and another in 2019.
In 2013, a person traveling abroad caught measles and “interacted with a vaccine-hesitant community,” DHHS’ website reads. Twenty-seven people caught the infection during that outbreak. In 2019, 23 people were diagnosed with measles.