Editor’s note: This article was updated after Austin Public Health reported to KUT that there are no measles cases at the school.
Representatives from the Austin Department of Public Health said Friday that a measles case reported at Pflugerville Elementary School was a false alarm.
“We can confirm that there are no cases of measles,” said William Malm, a spokesperson for the local public health department.
Parents of students at Windermere Elementary School received a letter from the School Health Department on Thursday informing them that their student had contracted measles.
“A student at Windermere Elementary School has been diagnosed with measles, as confirmed by a doctor,” Tamra Spence, PfISD’s chief communications officer, said in a statement to KUT on Thursday. “Due to the contagious nature of this rare virus, we are notifying everyone.” Please submit information to families on campus and submit information to Austin Public Health. ”
Pflugerville ISD sent another letter to Windermere families on Friday, updating them on the misreported measles case.
“Staff acted quickly and shared initial reports to ensure the safety and health of our students, which is always our top priority,” Principal Jennifer McAllister said in the letter. . “While the information was determined to be inaccurate, we remain committed to keeping everyone informed about potential health concerns.”
She added that she understands if this situation is worrying the family.
“We will be reviewing our notification and communication protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” she wrote. “Our goal is to address potential health concerns quickly and responsibly, while verifying information as thoroughly as possible before sharing it with the community.”
Symptoms of measles include a rash that looks like flat red spots, fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth. The rash often begins on the patient’s face and then spreads throughout the body.
Measles is highly contagious, but outbreaks are rare. However, people who have not received the measles vaccine can develop life-threatening complications if they become infected through the air.
As of Nov. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 277 cases of measles in the United States this year, but none in Texas.
When contacted by KUT Thursday afternoon, a representative from Austin Public Health said the public health department had not yet received any reports of local measles cases. A representative from the Texas Department of State Health Services said DSHS is also not aware of any confirmed cases of measles. On Friday morning, APH confirmed that the patient did not have measles.
