Officials with the Cass County Health System are asking anyone who may have been exposed to the measles virus, not to come to the Atlantic Medical Center. Instead, you should call the facility, in order to prevent the virus from being spread to those who are not infected. If you have traveled to states where there is a measles outbreak, and think you may have been exposed to the virus, contact the AMC Immunization staff at 712-243-2850.

What they measles look like on human skin.

Currently there have been 2 confirmed cases of the measles in Omaha, Nebraska as well as some cases in South Dakota, Illinois, and Minnesota. Jeri Orstad, RN, Immunization Nurse at the Atlantic Medical Center (AMC), reminds the public of the seriousness of the disease and importance of containing the spread of measles. “Measles is a very contagious disease that infects 90% of people who are exposed and can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is the best way to prevent contracting measles. People who receive two doses of the MMR vaccine will be 99% protected.”

The measles virus spreads through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Symptoms normally appear 7-18 days after exposure.  A person infected with measles may experience any of the following:
· Fever
· Runny Nose
· Red, Watery Eyes
· Sore Throat
· Cough
· Loss of Appetite
· Koplik spots (small spots with white or bluish white center on the inside of the cheeks)

About 14 days after exposure a rash will develop, first showing at the hairline and progressing down the body. It is important to note people with measles are contagious for almost 14 days, beginning 4 days before any rash appears and about 4 days after all of the rash is gone.

Measles is a serious illness that can require hospitalization. Complications include ear infection, pneumonia, diarrhea, or swelling of the brain. Children routinely get the measles vaccine (MMR) at one year of age and a booster dose as early as four years of age. Jeri advises that the second dose of the MMR vaccine may be given as soon as one month after receiving the first dose. The vaccine does not provide protection until after the child receives the second dose. If parents are unsure if their child received both doses they may contact the AMC Immunization Room at 712-243-2850. AMC participates in a statewide vaccine registry so they can verify vaccines even if they were not administered in this clinic.

No appointment is necessary to receive a measles vaccine at AMC, and funding is available for those unable to afford vaccination either privately or through their insurance. The Immunization Room is open Monday through Friday 8:30 -11:00 am and 1:30 – 4:00 pm. They are also open on Saturday 8:30 – 11:00 am.

A man from Creston has reported to the Union County Sheriff’s Office that someone stole a chainsaw from his machine shed sometime over the past week. Authorities say the machine that disappeared from the shed located on 150th Street, was valued at $250.

Officials with the Shelby County Dept. of Public Health say despite the fact the United States is currently experiencing a large, multi-state outbreak of measles. More than 100 people from 14 states have been confirmed as having measles. As of February 6th, 2015, there are no confirmed measles cases in Shelby County or in Iowa.

Shelby County Public Health Director and Nurse Practitioner Calla Poldberg said “This national measles outbreak has brought the protection provided by vaccinations back into the spotlight. It’s always important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date, but during times like this, when we know a virus is actively circulating, it’s especially important to check with your health care provider to be sure you and your family’s vaccinations are current.”

The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (known as MMR). Two doses of MMR will provide more than 99 percent of people lifelong protection against measles. Two doses of MMR are required for elementary and secondary school entry in Iowa. Shelby County school-aged kids are well-vaccinated with over 99.9% of students receiving two doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose of MMR should be given at 12 months of age and the second dose can be administered as soon as 28 days later; however, the second dose is usually administered as part of the kindergarten shots given between 4-6 years of age.

Generally, persons who started elementary school in Iowa after 1991 and were up-to-date on all school entry vaccine requirements have received two doses of MMR vaccine. It is recommended that adults born in 1957 or later receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine, or have a laboratory test proving that they are immune and are protected. In addition, two doses of MMR is recommended for adults of all ages who work or volunteer in health care facilities, travel internationally, or are students in a post-secondary institution, if they do not have laboratory proof of immunity.

You can learn more about measles by calling Shelby County Public Health at 712-755-4422 or your local medical provider or visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will discuss and act on proposed budget reductions during their meeting Monday night at the high school. Late last month, the board gave the district’s Administrative team instructions to look at all areas where savings might be made. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein says they’ve been looking for ways to cut $650,000 from next year’s budget.

Amstein said over 80-percent of their budget is for personnel, and that’s one area they’ll have to closely scrutinize. The district received a TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation) Planning Grant for the 2015-2016 school year in the amount of $450,000, that allows them to move some people into instructional leadership positions. Amstein said that may make it easier, by not having to replace those positions, but cuts will come from every department across the district. Last year, the district proposed $800,000 in cuts.

In other business, the Board will hear Special Presentations from the Music Department, with regard to the 2016 trip, and, a Fiscal Year 2014 Audit report from the firm of Nolte, Cornman & Johnson, P.C.

Following action on the budget and other matters, the Board will discuss the Operations/Maintenance budget and suggested Summer Capital Projects. The meeting in the Atlantic High School Media Center begins at 7:30-p.m., Monday.

The Walnut City Council, Thursday, was offered the chance to acquire the building in town currently owned by the Walnut School District. City Clerk Terri Abell said Walnut Community School District Superintendent Jesse Ulrich came before the Council to make the proposal. Ulrich said the School Board wanted to give the City the first opportunity to do something with the building. The decision was then made to form a committee comprised of the Mayor and two Council people, School Board members, and members of the public, to decide what they want the facility to become. They also discussed the possibility of hiring a consultant or an architect to conduct a feasibility study and facility study on the building.

Abell said if anyone from the community would like to volunteer to serve on the committee, they are more than welcome to contact the Walnut City Hall at 712-784-3443. It’s not clear if the District wants to gift the building to the City or sell it, but Abell said giving from a municipality-to municipality is a much easier. Last year, the Walnut School Board opted to reorganize with the AHST School District, with the idea being to have one campus, located in Avoca. Officials are exploring the option of selling or leasing the building in Walnut, which will serve students for the last time, during the next school year.

She said also, the Council received information from Bob Hilligas and Marye Bierbaum about expanding the City’s profile through social media. That includes advertising the various antique shops in the community on Facebook. The City already has a Facebook page, and an official City website that talks about local government and City events. Hilligas and Bierbaum were given a budget to handle the social media aspect of the City and tie in all relevant pages to the Facebook page.

The City she says also waiting to see if it will receive a grant for a Streetscape/Fascade Program, and they recently received a $400,000 grant through the CITIES Programfrom the Iowa West Foundation, which they are hoping to match with a grant being applied for through a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant).