"It is a risk for a lot of other people:" Shorewood School Dist. concerned about measles outbreak

SHOREWOOD (WITI) -- The bug is inching closer to Wisconsin. Five more children have been diagnosed with the measles in Illinois. As the virus continues to spread to neighboring states, our local schools are doing their best to protect students here.

There are no reported cases of the measles at the Shorewood School District, and they want to keep it that way.

This district, along with many others like MPS, follow strict vaccination guidelines from the state -- but that doesn't mean everyone is in the clear.

"We are concerned about the outbreak," said said Cindy Roach, District Nurse for Shorewood School District.

The communication started with a letter sent to parents at the end of January.

"Give them info related to measles and what they should be doing and check their immunization records for their kids," said Roach.

Ever since a measles outbreak at a California amusement park, cases have popped up around the country. Thursday, February 5th, five infants from a suburban Chicago daycare center were diagnosed with measles. Because they were under the age of one, they could not get the vaccine.

"One of the things that is a concern is that people that are not vaccinating their kids, it is a risk for a lot of other people," said Roach.

Roach says the school recommends vaccinations. And makes sure it is following rules from the state.

"Students are required to have 2 MMR's, measles, mumps, rubella," said Roach.

If students do not have adequate immunizations by a certain timeline, the parents get a legal notice to become compliant. But being compliant doesn't necessarily mean the child has been vaccinated. There are exceptions.

"There is the provision that they can have a personal conviction waiver if they have philosophical or personal reasons why the parents don't want to have their children immunized. There are also religious waivers and health waivers. We do have a number of families that have claimed that waiver," said Roach.

About 10-15 students at each school.

"So that is a concern. That is part of the reason why we wanted to notify people -- if there was an exposure, those people would have to be excluded from school for a period of time," said Roach.

Children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are most susceptible.

The 'herd immunity theory' really comes into play because the more people that are vaccinated, the less chance other people are going to be at risk.

Related links: