Cohasset Fears Possible Measles Case At Nursery School
COHASSET (CBS) - Cohasset health officials confirmed Tuesday that they're investigating a possible link to measles at a local nursery school.
The Cohasset Health Department issued an alert advising residents that someone believed to have measles visited the South Shore Community Center Nursery School on North Main Streetlast Tuesday.
They are warning parents, staff and children to be on the lookout for symptoms of the disease. They also say children and staff that have not been vaccinated for measles should stay home through Tuesday, June 14.
"I'm taking my son this afternoon for a booster shot, " said one mom, as she was leaving the school Tuesday afternoon. But there was no panic among the staff or parents, just concern and a determination to take the proper steps.
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.
The school notified the parents over the weekend, and advised them to take their kids to their doctors by Wednesday at the latest.
"I'm not overly concerned," said one mother, "but I will call the pediatrician to see if my son needs a booster shot," she said.
Below is a copy of the letter Cohasset officials sent home to parents:
Dear Parents,
I was contacted by Mary Goodwin, the Public Health Nurse for Cohasset, to let me know that your child has been exposed to a suspected case of measles. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has asked me to send you the following attachment. It is very important that you read this notice carefully. Your child will need a booster of the measles vaccine Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Please contact your pediatrician as soon as possible. If you have any questions please contact Mary Goodwin Cohasset Public Health Nurse 781-383-2210 or by e-mail mgoodwin@towwnofcohasset.org or Molly Crockett from the Mass Dept. of Health.
Thank you,
Ann Madden
There have been 17 confirmed measles cases in Massachusetts this year.
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields contributed to this report.
