Suburban Phoenix student may have come into contact with measles

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Families with children at Kiva Elementary School in Scottsdale were notified that a student may have come into contact with measles.

The letter, dated Jan 30, and signed by Principal Nick Noonan, read in part:

There has recently been a suspected case of measles with a family member of a Kiva student. The family is currently under a physician’s care and is following all safety precautions.

District spokeswoman Kristine Harrington said the school, on McDonald near Scottsdale Roada sent the letter as a precaution.

“Now the student at Kiva has shown no signs of the measles. And, again, this is only a suspected case. It is unconfirmed at this time,” Harrington said.

Harrington would not confirm whether the child was living with the suspected measles patient, but said, “It’s believed the child is not related to the two prior patients already identified with measles.”

Last week, Maricopa County reported its second confirmed measles case, both linked to the Disneyland outbreak.

Jeanene Fowler with the Maricopa Health Department said the staff was continuing to investigate potential measles cases, “but, at this time we do not have any additional cases, so there is no risk to students at Kiva Elementary.”

Public health records show 98 percent of the children at the school were fully immunized.

Fowler said that was why parents shouldn’t panic.

“Until there is a confirmation from either the school or the health department, no child is going to be taken out of school,” Fowler said.