The Clark County School District has confirmed that a person at Palo Verde High School on the valley’s west side has been diagnosed with monkeypox.
School officials will not say whether it is a student, faculty member, or staff that has contracted the virus.
In a ParentLink message to parents, the Palo Verde principal wrote in part, “We are currently working with the Southern Nevada Health District as they investigate the situation to determine who may need additional evaluation. The Southern Nevada Health District will notify parents and guardians if it is determined that your child needs to be tested or monitored. The safety of our students is a priority, and we will work diligently to support the Southern Nevada Health District in its investigation.”
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) determined the diagnosis by conducting contact tracing and notifications. District staff responds accordingly to mitigate the spread of the virus and clean and disinfect areas identified according to CDC guidelines.
Sonia Petkewich, a parent who spoke with 8 News Now, said the news was concerning to hear, and it hits too close to home.
“Everyone is just waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Petkewich said. “You kinda hope it’s not the school your kids go to, but it is.”
Brian Labus is an infectious disease epidemiologist and told 8 News Now the risk of transmission is low.
“What we’re seeing at a CCSD school is the same we’re seeing in the community,” Labus said. “It’s typically direct skin to skin contact, usually sexual contact. So it’s not something we worry about in a classroom setting.”
