Three more measles cases reported in Broward school, district says. Here’s what to know

Broward County Public Schools confirmed a case of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School on Friday. A day later, three more cases were reported from the same school.

The district did not say whether those infected were students, teachers or other staff at the K-5 school, 19200 Manatee Isles Drive in Weston.

The Sun Sentinel reported the school’s first case was a third-grader with no history of travel. Parents and teachers were notified Friday.

By Saturday, Broward County Schools spokesman John Sullivan said three more cases were confirmed, bringing the tally to four.

“The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff remain our utmost priority,” Sullivan said. “The school’s principal is keeping families informed and following health department guidelines to safeguard our community.”

According to the Florida Department of Health Reportable Diseases Frequency Report, there have been two cases of measles in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties since the school year began: one in Miami-Dade in mid-September and the current case at Manatee Bay. The Miami-Dade case was not reported at a school.

Measles, which appears as a rash and with a fever, is highly contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in five people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized. One in 1,000 may develop brain swelling, which could lead to brain damage. And one in three people out of every 1,000 cases can die. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection, the CDC says.

Vaccination rates for measles nationwide are declining, according to a CBS News report. Florida reports a 91.7% rate of vaccinations against measles.