Childcare centers in Wake County are tightening illness prevention protocols as measles cases rise in North Carolina, especially in children.
The state has had 24 confirmed measles cases since December, according to the North Carolina Department of Health. Nineteen of those cases are in people 17 and younger.
Martinique McLaughlin, the director of the Method Child Development Center, described the rise in cases in one word: “scary.”
“We have infants ages six weeks up to children 12 years old,” she said. “It’s very important that we don’t have anything contagious here in the building. We want to keep everybody safe.”
To limit risk, McLaughlin is going beyond state requirements. N.C. gives childcare centers 30 days to collect children’s vaccination records after enrollment, including the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. McLaughlin requests them on day one.
“Very adamant about that. Like, you are not coming into this building without shot records,” she said.
McLaughlin said that, as per state guidelines, all children are required to have the MMR vaccine, except those with medical or religious exemptions.
Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said childcare settings are especially vulnerable to illness spread because of how closely children interact. While there are no confirmed measles cases in the county, she said prevention is critical.
“I too, am a parent of young children, and I know making decisions about your children’s health care is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make,” Kaufman said. “If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask either the local health department or your provider.”
One dose of the MMR vaccine is about 93% effective and two doses are about 97% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials say at least 95% vaccination coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks. In Wake County, 28% of schools fall below that threshold.
“Most of the cases we’ve seen across North Carolina were not vaccinated,” Kaufman said.
“That’s why we’re really focused on children who are not yet vaccinated and encouraging them to really get that vaccine.”
McLaughlin added that some parents are hesitant about sending their children to daycare, but she’s focusing on open communication.
“We have a community here, so I’m very transparent with my parents. Even things they don’t want to know, I tell them,” she said. “If we notice something that could possibly be either measles, we call parents and we ask them to come get them checked out.”
If a child tests positive for measles, N.C. childcare centers must immediately notify the local health department. The child must stay home for at least five days after symptoms begin, while health officials track and notify anyone who may have been exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can remain in the air for hours after an infected person leaves a room.
Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure, though they can take up to 21 days, and may include:
High fever (may exceed 104°F)CoughRunny noseRed, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)Tiny white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)A red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads to the body