OREGON, OH (Toledo News Now) - The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department says a Clay High School student believed to have the measles has tested negative for the disease.
Oregon City Schools announced last week that a Clay student had been diagnosed with the measles, but that results of a blood test would be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Now the health department says that test came back negative, meaning the child does not have the measles.
This is the third time in a month the health department announced a presumed case of the measles in the county, only to later say that a blood test showed the patient in question did not have the measles.
School nurses made calls to parents on Tuesday, notifying them that unvaccinated students could return to school Wednesday.
Cherie Sexton, a nurse with the school district, says doctors are being cautious lately after measles outbreaks in other parts of the country.
"I think the case in Disneyland where the measles were brought in and we've had some children that were un-immunized, and it's kind of been spreading and making its way across the country," she said. "I think doctors are being overly cautious when they see symptoms of it and saying people have it for the greater good of the people."
Health officials say the only way to prevent the measles is to get vaccinated.
