Measles exposure at Immokalee Guadalupe Center prompts swift response

IMMOKALEE, Fla. —

A parent who tested positive for measles visited the Guadalupe Center's Van Otterloo campus last week, prompting the center to notify families about the exposure and take precautionary measures. No cases have been reported among students or staff at the center.

The leadership team at the Guadalupe Center said they were already on alert after the cases reported out of Ave Maria.

"Ever since the first breakout of measles in Ave Maria, we have been making sure we take all the protocols, keeping in touch with the health department, notifying parents on what to look for," Guadalupe Center President Dawn Montecalvo said.

The center, a non-profit aimed at ending poverty through education, serves more than 100 children ages six months to 5-years-old, along with after-school mentorship and tutoring programs.

CDC data shows the MMR shot and booster are 97% effective at preventing infection, recommending the first vaccine at one year, but the MMR cannot be given before six months.

Dr. Sal Anzalone from Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida said, "The vaccine will have no effect because maternal antibodies from mommies, antibodies to the baby may help somewhat and also change the fact how the vaccine would work in that age group."

Dr. Anzalone noted that measles can severely impact the immune system. He said the vaccine is the best way to stay safe.

"A lot of people forget, you know, measles kinds of wipe out the immune system, suffer for months, even years after having measles," Dr. Anzalone said.

Back at the center, Montecalvo said they are working to keep everyone safe.

"So we're keeping that, the risk down," Montecalvo said. "It's just making sure that we're taking all those precautions and helping our parents with that, and with 99% of the children vaccinated, they've already taken the biggest precaution that they can is by making sure their child was vaccinated."

The child of the parent with measles will not return to the center until they are out of quarantine. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of measles among students or staff at the Guadalupe Center.

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