Following a measles exposure at Shining Light Baptist Academy in Monroe, over 170 individuals connected to the private school are now under quarantine orders, as stated by Union County Public Health Director Traci Colley. The source of the exposure is traced back to an unvaccinated child from Mecklenburg County, who attended the school while contagious after contracting measles from a recent outbreak in South Carolina. In an effort to respect privacy, further details about the child have not been disclosed.
Given the contagious nature of measles, and under communicable disease law – the entire school has effectively been exposed. There have been no confirmed measles cases in Union County as of yet, and no isolation orders have taken effect. However, all those under quarantine have been directly contacted by communicable disease nurses, emphasizing that they must avoid public spaces and skip school for up to 21 days unless they can prove immunity, either through vaccination or by showing bloodwork confirming measles antibodies.
Pastor and Superintendent Tim Cruse expressed cooperation with the quarantine measures, underscoring shared goals for safety. "We are working with our Public Health Department as we are both seeking the safety and well-being of our students, their families, and our community," Cruse told Union County's news release.
Traci Colley emphasizes the importance of vaccination against measles, which can be easily prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. While currently there are no confirmed cases in the county, the Public Health Department is providing vaccinations and immunity testing for children and adults, with costs covered by insurance, Medicaid, or offered free for children under 18.
Recognizing the critical need to curb the spread, Union County Public Health urges residents to verify their MMR vaccination status. In situations where exposure has potentially occurred, receiving the vaccination can still thwart the onset of the illness if administered swiftly. The Public Health vaccination clinic has extended hours and is also accessible through pharmacies or healthcare providers for those seeking to take immediate preventative action.
If individuals within the quarantine suspect they might have contracted measles, the advice is to refrain from visiting an emergency room or clinic without calling ahead, thus minimizing the risk of further exposing others. Measles not only spreads with ease but can also lead to grave health complications, particularly in children under the age of five. For those looking for more information on measles, valid resources include the dedicated measles webpage provided by Union County Public Health, the NCDHHS website, and the CDC website.
