Aki Kurose Middle School switching to remote learning following confirmed case of measles
SEATTLE — Aki Kurose Middle School announced Thursday that they will be transitioning to online classes after a student was confirmed to have a case of measles.
The school will be closed for students Friday, May 26, so teachers can prepare for online learning. There will also be no school on Monday due to the observance of Memorial Day.
Students and educators will join remote classes via Microsoft Teams from Tuesday, May 30, to Friday, June 2. Tech support will be available for students and staff from Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SPS Culinary Services will have boxed lunches for students available for pick up at the school starting May 30.
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The first day back to in-person instruction is expected to be Monday, June 5.
“Measles is highly contagious. If you don’t have immunity, you can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles and that protection lasts a lifetime.”
The county said the risk to the public is low, as most people in the area have immunity to measles through the vaccination. However, the county added, anyone who may have been exposed should do the following:
- Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up-to-date with the recommended number of MMR vaccinations.
- Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be evaluated for measles.
"Complications from measles can happen even in healthy people, but those at highest risk include: infants and children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems from medications or underlying disease," the county said.
