A fifth case of the measles has been confirmed at the Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, a Broward County Public Schools official said Monday.
The district received “updated information” from the Florida Department of Health — Broward, “regarding one additional confirmed case of measles” at the school,” John J. Sullivan, Chief Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer, said in a statement.
“This brings the total number of cases to five,” he said. “The District is maintaining close coordination with the Health Department to address this ongoing situation.”
The statement did not identify the age or gender of the person who contracted the latest case.
The Florida Department of Health said Sunday it was investigating “multiple cases of measles” detected at the Weston school.
On Saturday, the Broward school district said it confirmed four cases of measles there, and the Health Department said it was working with the district to identify those who may have had contact with the infected persons to identify those at risk of contracting the disease.
The first case of measles at the school was confirmed on Thursday.
“Over the weekend, the District took further preventive measures by conducting a deep cleaning of the school premises and replacing its air filters,” Sullivan said. “The school’s principal is actively communicating with families, ensuring they are kept up to date with the latest information.”
Measles is highly contagious, spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If one person has it, about 90% of people around them will also become infected if they are not protected by the vaccine or masks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is required for students attending public schools in Florida, according to the Department of Health.