A student from Trantwood Elementary in Virginia Beach tested positive for measles on Aug. 26, the second day of school.
Families of children who rode the bus with the student were notified. Classes remain on a normal schedule for vaccinated Trantwood students. Unvaccinated students, including those with exemptions, are prohibited from attending until Sept. 16.
“For the public right now, it just is a reminder to be aware of your vaccine status, and if you are unvaccinated, consider speaking to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated,” said Meredith Robinson, the vaccine preventable disease program coordinator at Virginia Beach Health Department.
Robinson said measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.
Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure, with an average of 11 to 14 days. Early signs include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A red, blotchy rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the face and moving downward.
Virginia typically reports only a handful of measles cases each year, often linked to international travel.
Robinson said the Trantwood case fits that pattern – a person exposed abroad returned home while ill. But overall risk remains low, she said, because Virginia Beach maintains high vaccination rates.
“There's a high level of protection amongst the community, but it's really important for people who aren't sure if they are immune just to reach out to their provider, to get their vaccination records, or they can obtain the records through our system,” Robinson said.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the primary tool for prevention. Two doses provide about 97% lifetime protection and most Virginians received the vaccine during childhood because it is required for school.
To contain the current case, the Virginia Beach Health Department is working with the school system and the student’s family to identify potential exposures.
Staff, students and visitors who may have been in the same locations are being contacted and those without immunity will be asked to stay home for 21 days, the length of the incubation period.
Robinson advised those who may have been exposed to call a clinic before visiting, so hospitals and doctors’ offices can take precautions to protect staff and patients.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools sent a message to Trantwood staff and families after identifying the case.
“We understand this is a very concerning situation. The health of our students and staff is of the utmost importance to us. Please know we are working very closely with the Virginia Department of Health to address this situation.”
