Measles Case Confirmed at St. Petersburg Catholic High School

Measles Outbreak at St. Petersburg Catholic High School

• 📌 A confirmed case of measles has been reported at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.
• 📧 The Diocese of St. Petersburg sent an email to families stating a sophomore student tested positive and had not been at school since January 27th.
• 🤝 School officials are collaborating with the Department of Health regarding the situation.

Understanding Measles and Vaccination

• ⚠️ Measles is a highly contagious virus, with 9 out of 10 unvaccinated, exposed individuals likely to become infected.
• 💉 The school reports that 99.2% of its student body is vaccinated against measles, despite allowing medical exemptions.
• 📉 Measles was once considered eradicated in the U.S., but recent hundreds of cases across the country are leading to discussions about whether it has reached endemic or epidemic levels.

Symptoms and Vaccine Efficacy

• 🤒 Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and rash.
• 🛡️ The measles vaccination is approximately 94% effective after the second booster dose and is considered very safe.
• 🏠 Individuals experiencing measles symptoms are advised to stay home and seek immediate medical care.