Westbrook Middle School

The health office is staffed by a full time RN and a part time health aide. The nurse is available to administer medical assistance and first aid and dispense medication as directed by the physician and parent to students during the regular school day.  She will develop individual health plans for students with chronic health conditions or handicaps. We maintain health records and make sure all state required physicals and immunizations are up to date. We will perform state mandated health screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis. Please notify the nurse of any health updates throughout the year. If there is any medical information you would like the nurse to be aware of, please feel free to contact her.

Tina Bennett, RN; 

  Middle School: Phone: 860-399-2010 Fax: 860-399-2006         

High School:  Phone: 860-399-6214 Fax:860-399-2007 

Westbrook Public Schools

Measles: Outbreak and Control of Disease

May 1, 2019

 Disease Description

Measles is an acute illness caused by a virus. It is characterized by fever (as high as 105°F) and malaise, cough, nasal congestion, and conjunctivitis, followed by a maculopapular rash. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Measles is usually a mild or moderately severe illness. However, it can result in complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Approximately one case of encephalitis and two to three deaths may occur for every 1,000 reported measles cases.

The average incubation period for measles is 11–12 days, and the average interval between exposure and rash onset is 14 days. People with measles are usually considered infectious from four days before until four days after onset of rash with the rash onset being considered as day zero. 

Click here for Measles Disease Information

 Outbreak

From January 1 to April 26, 2019, 704** individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 22 states. This is an increase of 78 cases from the previous week. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

Reasons for an increase in cases in some years:

• 2018: The U.S. experienced 17 outbreaks in 2018. Three outbreaks in New York State, New York City, and New Jersey contributed to most of the cases. Cases in those states occurred primarily among unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities. These outbreaks were associated with travelers who brought measles back from Israel, where a large outbreak is occurring. Eighty-two people brought measles to the U.S. from other countries in 2018. This is the greatest number of imported cases since measles was eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.
• 2014: The U.S. experienced 23 measles outbreaks in 2014, including one large outbreak of 383 cases, occurring primarily among unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio. Many of the cases in the U.S. in 2014 were associated with cases brought in from the Philippines, which experienced a large measles outbreak.

Maintenance of Elimination

The declaration of endemic measles elimination in the United States was made in 2000. The key challenges to maintaining the elimination of measles from the United States are ● vaccinating children at age 12–15 months with a first dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine; ● ensuring that school-age children receive a second dose of MMR vaccine; ● vaccinating high-risk groups, such as health care personnel and international travelers including infants 6 to 11 months of age; ● maintaining measles awareness; and ● working with U.S. Government agencies and international agencies, including the WHO, on global measles mortality reduction and elimination goals.

According to the latest information released by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, “A disease outbreak is less likely to occur at schools where high numbers of students are immunized. Known as Herd Immunity, when almost all the children have immunity, a disease is much less likely to appear at the school and infect children who have not been vaccinated...This is especially important for medically fragile children. Some children have conditions that affect their immunity, including illnesses that require chemotherapy or drugs that suppress their immune systems. These children cannot be safely vaccinated, and at the same time, they are less able to fight off illness when they are infected.” 

Click here to read the CDC’s Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Measles

Click here to view the CT Dept. of Public Health Disease Information and Surveillance

MMR Vaccine: Parent Information

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. For prevention of measles, two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended routinely for children, with the first dose at age 12 through 15 months and the second dose at ages four through six years (school entry). The MMR shot:

• Protects your child from measles, a potentially serious disease, as well as mumps and rubella.
• Prevents your child from getting an uncomfortable rash and high fever from measles.
• Keeps your child from missing school or child care (and keeps you from missing work to care for your sick child).

What are the side effects? Most children don’t have any side effects. The side effects that do occur are usually very mild, such as a fever, rash, soreness or swelling where the shot was given, or temporary pain and stiffness in the joints.

Is there a link between the MMR vaccine and autism? No. Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot. None has found a link between autism and the MMR shot.

 For prevention of measles among adults, two doses of MMR vaccine are also recommended for adults at high risk, including international travelers, college and other post-high school students, and health care personnel. All other adults, born during or after 1957, without other presumptive evidence of measles immunity, should be vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine. Children 6–11 months of age who travel internationally should receive one dose of MMR vaccine optimally at least two weeks prior to travel. 

Click here for Parent Information about MMR Vaccine

Physicals:

• A comprehensive physical (blue form) is required by the board of education and Connecticut state law during the 6th grade and 10th grade. Physicals need to include vision, hearing, and postural screening and immunization records. They should also include the oral health assessment. Without this physcial, your child will not be allowed to move on to the next grade.
• If your child is planning on playing a sport, an updated physical must be on file in the health office. Sports physicals are valid for 13 months and need to be received prior to any participation including tryouts. Bridge notes will not be accepted per CIAC rules.

 Immunizations:

• All students entering Westbrook Public Schools must show proof of receiving the following immunizations:
  
  • DPT/DTaP/Td (tetnus) - At least 4 doses
  • Polio - At least 3 doses
  • MMR - 2 doses
  • Varicella 2 doses
  • Hepatitis B - 3 doses
  • Hepatitis A - 2 doses (Grades 5-6)
  • Tdap - 1 dose (Grades 7-12)
  • Meningococcal - 1 dose (Grades 7-12)

 Only exceptions allowed are for religious and medical exemption. Medical exemptions need documentation from the doctor. Religious exemption forms need to be notarized. Documentation must be provided to the health office.

 Health Screenings:

• Routine health screenings will be conducted by the nurse yearly:
  • Hearing Screening: 5th Grade
  • Vision Screening: 5th Grade
  • Scoliosis/Postural: 5th and 7th Grade Females; 8th Grade Males
• 6th and 10th graders should receive their screenings at their required comprehensive physical exam.

Accommodations and Medications:

• The nurse can administer over the counter and prescription medication ONLY with an order from the physician and signed parental permission. The form must be complete and include the following:
  • Provider order and written authorization to administer medication
  • Parental written authorization to administer medication
  • If the student will be self-administering, the form must be checked and signed by the provider and parent
• Medication must be in the original container with the pharmacy label and have a current expiration date.
• Middle school and high school students may receive Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Zyrtec with just signed parental permission. If you would like your child to be able to take these medications at school, please fill out the Authorization to administer non-aspirin medication on the Annual Health Report Update Form.
• The parent/guardian is responsible for forwarding any treatment plans (Asthma Action Plan, Allergy Plan, Diabetic Plan, etc) and doctor orders to the nurse.
• All medication authorization needs to be updated annually. All forms can be found on the website.
• If your child requires any accommodation at school, please send in a note with instructions from the health care provider.

 Additional Information:

• If your child is out sick or will not be in school for any reason, please call the main office every day they are out prior to 8:00 am.
• After 9 absences, appropriate documentation is required for any and all subsequent absence.
• Please have your child eat breakfast and pack healthy snacks for school. The school does offer breakfast service and reduced pricing is available to those that qualify. Students who do not eat breakfast feel tired, dizzy, and have poor concentration. Breakfast improves school performance and increases focus.
• Please notify the nurse of any health updates throughout the year. If there is any significant medical history you would like the nurse to be aware of please feel free to contact me.