ADH Investigates Suspected Measles Cases in Gentry

Ozark Adventist Academy reported the potential cases of measles to the Arkansas Health Department after two students went to the school nurse Sunday. According to Principal Mike Dale, the nurse noticed a rash and other measles like symptoms. Both teens were boarding students at the school. Dale says the students, brother and sister, have a sibling that had recently been out of the country and the parents believed she may have been infected while traveling.

The nurse isolated the students and had their parents come to pick them up.

Dale said the two students had filed vaccinations exemption forms through the state and had not gotten a measles shot. There were six other students at the school who were also exempt, so Dale said they were also isolated and sent home as a precaution. None had exhibited symptoms.

Working with the Arkansas Department of Health, the students were tested and results from the Centers for Disease Control should be back Thursday, according to Dale.

He believes the measures taken by officials will keep the other more than 150 students attending the school protected from exposure.

The school posted the following statement on their website Monday:

Two of our "vaccination exempt" students have presumed cases of rubeola (measles). By Arkansas Health Department guidelines those students will not be on campus during their active exposure time and any student who is not current on their MMR vaccinations have been required to leave campus during the incubation period. Students up-to-date with their immunizations are considered at no risk and the school program continues as normal.

For students missing school, we are asking teachers to keep assignments posted on iNOW or Edmodo. Please contact any teacher directly with any questions you may have.