Limiting the Spread of Illness
TISD Health Services
Limiting the Spread of Illnesses
TISD School Nurses lead health promotion and disease prevention in school. We partner with students, families, and staff to promote a safe and healthy environment. Preventative measures at home and school will help prevent the spread of any respiratory diseases to include measles (rubeola). Two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. TISD follows state vaccine requirements that include the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for all children enrolled in pre-K to twelfth grade.
TISD is working closely with the Bell County Public Health District (BCPHD) Epidemiology Department which is monitoring the measles situation closely. As of today, the Bell County Public Health District has not alerted TISD with any concerns in the Bell County area. Due to the highly contagious nature of the disease, the Bell County Public Health District will continue to work closely with all Bell County Schools and send out notifications when necessary. If you have specific questions or concerns, please follow up with your student’s Primary Care Physician (PCP). Your student’s PCP is aware of your student’s entire health history and vaccination status and would be able to provide more detailed plan of care specifically for your student.
TISD health guidelines follow CDC recommendations and will continue to be proactive by advising students, families, and staff to:
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when is ill.
- Hand Washing. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol.
- Nursing staff will continue to assess and advise parents of any student with suspected illness to include measles.
TISD Health Services is prepared and has successfully mitigated and managed similar historic medical situations and are prepared to implement any further CDC recommendations. We will continue to collaborate with the CDC and Bell County Health District as they continue to monitor.
