Measles

Measles is caused by a virus. Measles is an extremely contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective at preventing transmission of measles. One dose of MMR vaccine is approximately 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are approximately 97% effective.

Measles is spread from person to person through the air by infectious droplets or from touching contaminated surfaces. It is considered highly contagious. Measles can infect up to 90% of those who come in contact with an infected person. Infected people can transmit the disease before they have symptoms.

Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, and a rash. Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days before the rash. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body.

It takes an average of 10-12 days from exposure to the first symptom, which is usually fever. The measles rash doesn't usually appear until approximately 14 days after exposure, two to three days after the fever begins.

Measles can be a serious disease, with 30% of reported cases experiencing one or more complications. One in five people in the US who contract measles will be hospitalized. Death from measles occurs in one to three per 1,000 reported cases in the United States. Complications from measles are more common among very young children (younger than five years) and adults (older than 20 years). Some people who become sick with measles also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can cause swelling of the brain and even death. Measles can be especially severe in infants and in people who are malnourished or who have weakened immune systems (such as from HIV infection or cancer or from certain drugs or therapies). Measles may case premature birth if contracted by pregnant mothers.

Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications may also occur. According to the CDC, as many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. About one child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or three will die from it. Measles may cause pregnant woman to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby.

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, an estimated three to four million people got measles each year in the United States. Of these, approximately 500,000 cases were reported each year to CDC; of these, 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed encephalitis (brain swelling) from measles. Widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era. However, measles is still common in other countries and we are seeing some resurgence in the United States associated with vaccine hesitancy and delays in childhood vaccination. Unvaccinated people continue to get measles while abroad and bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others. Additionally, there have been some small outbreaks in daycare and school settings, including in Franklin County, Ohio.

Measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.

Notification of the exposure should be communicated to a healthcare provider and the local health department . If the person has not been vaccinated, measles vaccine (MMR) may prevent disease if given within 72 hours of exposure. Immune globulin (a blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus) may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within six days of exposure.

Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

All students and school staff born in or after 1957 who cannot provide adequate evidence of immunity should be vaccinated unless there is a valid contraindication. Exposed persons receiving their second MMR dose and previously unvaccinated persons receiving their first dose as part of the outbreak control program may be immediately readmitted to school or work. These individuals, however, should be monitored for signs and symptoms of measles. 
Individuals with laboratory confirmation of past infection or blood tests showing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella do not require MMR vaccine. For those without such documentation, it is recommended that students (or parents of minor students) be contacted and advised to obtain vaccine if there is not a medical contraindication. For more information, visit the CDC vaccination page .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website indicates there are populations who should not get the vaccine or who should wait.
Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:
•    Has any severe, life-threatening allergies. A person who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of MMR vaccine, or has a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, may be advised not to be vaccinated. Ask your health care provider if you want information about vaccine components.
•    Is pregnant, or thinks she might be pregnant. Pregnant women should wait to get MMR vaccine until after they are no longer pregnant. Women should avoid getting pregnant for at least 1 month after getting MMR vaccine.
•    Has a weakened immune system due to disease (such as cancer or HIV/AIDS) or medical treatments (such as radiation, immunotherapy, steroids, or chemotherapy).
•    Has a parent, brother, or sister with a history of immune system problems.
•    Has ever had a condition that makes them bruise or bleed easily.
•    Has recently had a blood transfusion or received other blood products. You might be advised to postpone MMR vaccination for 3 months or more.
•    Has tuberculosis.
•    Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks. Live vaccines given too close together might not work as well.
•    Is not feeling well. A mild illness, such as a cold, is usually not a reason to postpone a vaccination. Someone who is moderately or severely ill should probably wait. Your doctor can advise you.

You do not need measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine if you meet any of these criteria for evidence of immunity:
•    You have written documentation of adequate vaccination:
o    at least one dose of a measles, mumps, and rubella virus-containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for preschool-age children and adults not at high risk for exposure and transmission
o    two doses of measles and mumps virus-containing vaccine for school-age children and adults at high risk for exposure and transmission, including college students, healthcare personnel, international travelers, and groups at increased risk during outbreaks
•    You have laboratory confirmation of past infection or had blood tests that show you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella.
•    You were born before 1957.*
If you do not have evidence of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella, talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated. If you’re unsure whether you’ve been vaccinated, you should first try to find your vaccination records. If you do not have written documentation of MMR vaccine, you should get vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is safe, and there is no harm in getting another dose if you may already be immune to measles, mumps, or rubella.
If you received a measles vaccine in the 1960s, you may not need to be revaccinated. People who have documentation of receiving LIVE measles vaccine in the 1960s do not need to be revaccinated. People who were vaccinated prior to 1968 with either inactivated (killed) measles vaccine or measles vaccine of unknown type should be revaccinated with at least one dose of live attenuated measles vaccine. This recommendation is intended to protect those who may have received killed measles vaccine, which was available in 1963-1967 and was not effective.

For more information, see the CDC measles vaccination page.

MMR vaccines are available through the Athens County Health Department if insurance covers the vaccine. It is also available at Campus Care; call 740-592-7100 to schedule an appointment.

Take steps to prevent illness, such as frequent hand-washing with soap and water or a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth. If you need to touch your face, ensure your hands are clean. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging or sharing eating utensils or cups, with people who are sick.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

MMR vaccines are available through the Athens County Health Department if insurance covers the vaccine. It is also available at Campus Care; call 740-592-7100 to schedule an appointment.

Those with suspected measles should be excluded from school or work until four days have passed since rash onset (they can return on the fifth day after the day of rash onset) if not immunocompromised.Notification of the exposure should be communicated to a healthcare provider and the local health department. If the person has not been vaccinated, measles vaccine (MMR) may prevent disease if given within 72 hours of exposure. Immune globulin (a blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus) may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within six days of exposure.

The student health insurance policy covers 100% of the MMR vaccine if administered by a network provider.

Yes. You can send an employee home who is exhibiting any measles symptoms or who has been exposed to the measles. But prior to taking this action, please consult with Human Resources. While each case must be considered separately, employees with a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough should be sent home. Other symptoms of concern are coughing and sneezing.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel seriously ill, especially if you have a fever. Avoid contact with other people while you are sick.

Those with suspected measles should be excluded from school or work until four days have passed since rash onset (they can return on the fifth day after the day of rash onset) if not immunocompromised.

Yes.  The measles vaccine is covered 100% by Anthem and Express Scripts for employees and dependents enrolled in one of the University’s faculty and staff health plans.

Vaccines should be available at your family physician’s office. Vaccines may also be available through a pharmacy. You should contact your family physician or pharmacy to verify vaccine availability.