With the recent news regarding the measles outbreak in West Texas and at least one confirmed case in Travis County, I wanted to share some important information from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. There have been no reported cases at our school.
Vaccine is best protection and is very effective
The best way to prevent getting measles is vaccination, which consists of two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The vaccine is very effective; two doses of measles vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus.
Measles is highly contagious
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to a person with measles will become ill. It is transmitted by contact with infectious droplets or spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can remain on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours after an ill person has left an area.
Illness onset (high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes) begins a week or two after someone is exposed. A few days later, the telltale rash breaks out as flat, red spots on the face and then spreads down the neck and trunk to the rest of the body. A person is contagious about four days before the rash appears to four days afterward. People with measles should stay home from work, childcare, or school during that period.
Measles is serious
About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized, some with life-threatening illness. Children too young to be vaccinated are more likely to have severe complications if they get infected with the measles virus.
Exclusion from school
People with confirmed or suspected measles should stay home from child care, school, work, and other group settings until after the fourth day of rash onset.
More information
The state health department has posted detailed measles information online, including regarding symptoms of the disease and the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine.
If you think you or your child have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your health care provider. Let your doctor know before you arrive so they can prepare without exposing other people to the virus.
If you are uncertain about your child’s vaccine status or whether they are up-to-date, please contact your healthcare provider.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep your students and our campus healthy and safe!
