In June we shared a precautionary Measles announcement highlighting steps the school system would take if a case is identified in Haywood County Schools.  Thankfully, there is still not a Measles case in Haywood County.  However, local public health offices recently shared a letter from the NC Department of Health and Human Services confirming the first case in North Carolina.  That case is in Guilford County.

Haywood County Schools has been collaborating with public health officials who are monitoring the measles outbreak across the country.  We will continue to communicate with public health officials as they monitor this developing communicable disease situation.  For informational and precautionary purposes, we are re-sharing the following information.

If a Measles case is identified among Haywood County Schools’ students during the 2019-20 school year, the diagnosed student will be removed from school based upon recommendations from the attending physician and public health officials.  Additionally, any students who do not have valid documented measles vaccinations will be removed from the diagnosed student’s school.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends, “Persons who continue to be exempted from or who refuse Measles vaccination should be excluded from school, childcare, or other institutions until 21 days after rash onset in the last case of Measles.”  Approximately 60 students in Haywood County Schools do not have valid documentation of Measles vaccinations.

We hope Measles does not occur in Haywood County Schools.  With that said, we want to make interested parties aware of our plans to respond if a Measles case is confirmed in the future.

Contact:  Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent