Minot Public Schools Superintendent Scott Faul discussed concerns related to the ongoing outbreak of measles in the state at the regular school board meeting on Friday, and the district’s plan of action should a case appear in Ward County.

Nine cases of measles have been confirmed in Williams County, and approximately 180 students have been isolated after having close contact. Faul provided information from the First District Health Unit regarding the likelihood of infection for those exposed to the virus.

Measles is a contagious, viral illness which spreads easily through the air, and remains contagious for several days before and after symptoms appear. According to the North Dakota Department of Health, there are no specific medical treatments for measles, but antibiotics may be used in cases that have developed secondary bacterial infection.

Unvaccinated individuals have a 90% chance of contracting measles, while those with one round and two rounds of vaccinations have a 7% and 3% chance respectively according to the First District Health Unit.

“We’ve been working hand-in- hand with First District Health on this. Yesterday a note went out to the families of students that were not vaccinated just so they understand the risks and our records indicate they do not have the vaccine,” Faul said. “One thing to note, we have one extracurricular activity scheduled for Williston in a couple weeks. We’ll continue to monitor that, and the high school activities will do the same for monitoring the situation that’s out there.”

After the meeting on Friday, school administrators decided to cancel a planned trip by bands from Minot middle schools to the Williston Band Day parade that was scheduled for Saturday out of an abundance of caution, according to school officials.

Council member Scott Louser inquired if the district had an “action plan,” should a measles case arise in Minot schools. Faul clarified the district would work with First District Health and any recommendations from the state epidemiologist, and cited the North Dakota Century Code in regard to isolation periods.

“That will come from the state. It’s a 21 day quarantine, so it is significant,” Faul said. “I will communicate to the board, and if there needs to be a special board meeting because we have to implement something, we certainly will call that. We have about 10 days of school left.”

At the time of the meeting on Friday, the outbreak was limited to Williams County, but two additional cases were reported in Cass County, according to a news release from the North Dakota Department of Health.

According to data from the N.D. Department of Health, Ward County has a vaccination rate of 91.95%.