A student at Mabry Middle School in East Cobb has been diagnosed with the measles in a case that was announced over the weekend by the Georgia Department of Public Health. 
On Saturday, Georgia DPH issued a statement saying that an “unvaccinated Cobb County resident” may have exposed others between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, and that it was “notifying individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and may be at increased risk for developing measles.”
A Cobb County School District spokeswoman said Monday the district had been notified by Georgia DPH that it was a Mabry student and that:
‘Mabry parents have been communicated with and any student who is at risk will not be allowed in school through November 22nd. The unaffected teachers and students remain focused on teaching and learning while affected students and families are supported by Public Health.”
Here’s what public health officials said in a note that went out to Mabry parents over the weekend:
“It is very unlikely that your child will get measles if they have been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, but if he/she becomes sick with a fever, cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without rash, before November 22, contact your healthcare provider immediately. At this time, it has been advised that if your child is not vaccinated, he/she should not return back to school until November 25. If your child is up to date on their vaccinations, they are safe to return back to school on Monday, November 11.”
The Cobb school district declined to provide information to follow-up questions from East Cobb News about how many students and staff may be held out, nor would it explain how the unvaccinated student was allowed to attend school.
“To comply with federal laws which protect student confidentiality, no further details will be available,” the district spokeswoman said, referring those questions to Georgia DPH.
We have asked the Georgia DPH to comment and will update.
The Cobb school district requires immunization for students in kindergarten and seventh grade and newly enrolled students, and allows for waivers due to religious beliefs or for health reasons.
Here’s more from the Georgia DPH about the measles:
“Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12-15 months of age and a second dose between 4-6 years old. More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%.”
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
I go to this school, and It’s terrifying. We don’t know what was going on until we saw news truck and then multiple people were missing. My 2 pregnant teachers were missing because it was so dangerous. W edon’t know who spread it, but please get vaccinated and stay safe!