Aki Kurose Middle School switches to remote learning following confirmed case of measles

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Aki Kurose Middle School switches to remote learning following confirmed case of measles

FILE – The side of a Seattle Public Schools building. { }Aki Kurose Middle School announced Thursday that the school will transition to distance learning from May 30 to June 2 after a student tested positive for measles. (KOMO News)

SEATTLE—

Aki Kurose Middle School announced on Thursday that it would switch to online classes after a student was confirmed to have a case of measles.

School will be closed to students on Friday, May 26, so teachers can prepare for online learning. There will also be no school on Monday due to the Memorial Day celebration.

Students and teachers will join classes remotely via Microsoft Teams from Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2. Technical support will be available to students and staff Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SPS Culinary Services will be offering packed lunches for students to pick up from school from 30 May.

RELATED | A child with measles was recently at Pike Place Market, World Market

The first day back to in-person instruction is expected to be Monday, June 5.

“Measles is highly contagious. If you’re not immune, you can get measles just by being in a room where someone with measles has been,” said Elysia Gonzales, medical epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle and King County. “The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles infection and this protection is lifelong.

The county said the risk to the public is low because most area residents are immune to measles through vaccination. However, the county added, anyone who may have been exposed should do the following:

  • Find out if you have been vaccinated against measles or if you have ever had measles. Make sure you are up to date with the recommended number of MMR vaccines.
  • Call a health care provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or an unexplained rash. To avoid spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling them first to tell them you want to be tested for measles.

“Measles complications can occur even in healthy people, but those most at risk are: infants and children under 5 years old, adults over 20 years old, pregnant people and people whose immune system is weakened by medication or an underlying disease,” the county said.

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