For School Health

CCCHD no longer conducts case investigations or contact tracing in the community, outside of high-risk settings, such as congregate residential settings, or for certain circumstances, such as outbreaks in schools. 

What this means for schools:

• Please report positive cases of COVID-19 to CCCHD by click here. 
  
  • Additionally, you may encourage your families to self-report their at-home tests on our website.

• Masking in schools: 

Without structured contact tracing in place, it is more important now than ever that you encourage mitigation strategies that work against the transmission of COVID-19, such as vaccination, proper masking, physical distancing, improving ventilation, hand washing, cough etiquette, testing, and staying home if you are sick. 

Resources:

• COVID-19 Isolation & Exposure Guidance

Measles infections classically are described as having a prodromal period with a fever of 103-105°F, runny nose (coryza), red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), cough, and photophobia for 2-4 days. Then a maculopapular rash appears on the face which spreads to the trunk and finally to the extremities. The rash and other symptoms normally subside in 7-9 days. Koplik spots may be observed on the buccal mucosa just prior to and on the first day of the rash. Complications of measles include otitis media, pneumonia, cardiac manifestations, encephalitis, and occasionally death.

Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

For individuals with documentation of one or two doses of measles-containing vaccine: Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is able 93% effective.

Clark County has had ONE confirmed case of measles, which is linked to the Central Ohio outbreak.

If you suspect measles case, call the health department immediately, 937-390-5600. If it is after hours call 937-390-5600 then dial *500 to leave a message.

Resources:

• Measles in Schools – Document
• Infectious Disease Control Manual: Measles
• CDC: Signs and Symptoms
• CDC: Vaccine for Measles

If you have any questions or concerns, please give CCCHD a call at 937-390-5600 and ask for a member of the CD Team.

Similar to infections in adults, the most common sign of monkeypox in children and adolescents is a rash that progresses from maculopapular lesions to vesicles, pustules, and finally scabs. If a child has not had any contact with a confirmed case and has none of the risk factors, but has a rash, please consider other diagnoses such as be varicella (chickenpox); hand, foot, and mouth
disease; measles; scabies; molluscum contagiosum; herpes; syphilis (including congenital syphilis); allergic skin rashes; and drug eruptions. A doctor should be consulted to determine the cause of the rash.

Monkeypox can be found in any individual regardless of sexual orientation.

In Clark County, the risk is low for a child to catch monkeypox. Higher risk for a child is if someone else in their family or a close contact is a confirmed case.

Monkeypox is not common in children in areas where the disease is not endemic. Monkeypox can spread through contact with the fluids (e.g., lesion exudates and respiratory secretions) of people or animals with monkeypox or through contact with fomites (e.g., shared clothing, towels, toiletries, and bedding).

Resources:

• Monkeypox in Children Handout
• CDC: What you need to know about Monkeypox if you are a Teen or Young Adult Handout
• CDC: FAQ for Schools, ECE Programs and Other Settings Serving Children or Adolescents
• US Map and Case Count
• CDC: What to do if you are sick
• CDC: Preventing Spread to others

Children have many different illnesses that can cause a rash (i.e., varicella (chickenpox); hand, foot, and mouth disease; measles; scabies, etc), schools should continue their normal mitigation strategies for children who show up to school with an unknown rash.