Due to measles, 12 schools in Jalisco have migrated to virtual classes.

In response to the rise in measles cases in various municipalities across the state, the Jalisco Education Secretariat (SEJ) has temporarily suspended in-person classes at 12 schools, SEJ head Juan Carlos Flores Miramontes announced on Friday.

Of these, he said, only one (the Tlaquepaque School) remains completely closed, while in the rest the measure was applied only to specific groups.

The secretary stated that so far the contagion remains contained and that control measures have prevented further spread.

Flores Miramontes indicated that the measures were taken based on recommendations from the Jalisco Ministry of Health, and that follow-up protocols have been implemented immediately.

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Most of the affected schools are located in the Altos Sur region, the secretary said, adding that the Arandas schools will resume in-person classes next week, while the most recent cases will remain under health surveillance.

“Most schools are in Arandas, but they're already resuming classes this coming Monday. The Tlaquepaque school still has eight more days of remote learning, unless the health authority tells us otherwise. The Tepa school just started this week, so they'll have to wait 14 days after classes were suspended to resume in-person classes.” , he explained.

Regarding the possible reintroduction of the vaccination card requirement as a recommendation for school entry, as a means of disease prevention and implementation of protocols, the secretary considered that coordination with the health sector will be essential in making a decision.

"The alternative is interesting. If necessary, and if Education and Health reach an agreement, it could be possible. Today, what we're focusing on is training and education," he commented.

Check out: Jalisco ranks second in measles cases; what are the symptoms?

Flores Miramontes emphasized that the teachers' response to the training and informational materials distributed by the agency regarding measles prevention has been positive. "More than eight thousand educators have watched the webinar, where we explain in detail all the risks of measles, but above all, how to prevent its spread," she noted.

The secretary emphasized the importance of continuing information and vaccination campaigns, both inside and outside of schools. "It's a disease whose spread can be restricted, and if we don't, the consequences can be serious. Yesterday, specialists explained to us that after-effects can occur if it's not properly treated," he warned.

He asserted that the measures adopted, such as temporary virtualization and epidemiological surveillance, have been effective. "The Health Ministries tell us, following the epidemiological spread, that they consider it to have been effective. Had these measures not been taken, the spread would have been more rapid, and today we are committed to containing it," said Flores Miramontes.

Finally, the secretary called on day laborer families not to interrupt their children's education, as school attendance is also a means of accessing vaccination. "It's important to emphasize two things: that all families with young children who are day laborers continue to send their children to school. That way, they can access not only the educational benefits, but also vaccinations," he concluded.

Read also: Where have the most measles cases been detected in Jalisco?

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