How to Keep Your Child Safe from Measles and What to Expect if a Person with Measles Attends School
Dear Parent and Guardians:
As you may know, there is a measles outbreak in Oregon with 26 confirmed cases reported in Marion, Clackamas, and Multnomah Counties as of 08/09/2024. We understand that parents have questions about what can be done to keep children safe, and what their child’s school will do if a case of measles is confirmed at their site. You can request a copy of the school’s communicable disease management plan christine_usher@rsd.k12.or.us or by calling the office (503) 556-3777 ext. 415.
Here are some important points to keep in mind:
Now is a great time for all families to review their vaccine records and make sure their vaccines are up to date.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease. If a case is confirmed in a school, local public health workers will review all staff and student vaccination records to determine the risk of further spread.
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Keeping children in school is a priority. In the event of an exposure to a contagious illness like measles:
Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) staff will determine if the person exposed is susceptible to measles.
If they are determined to be susceptible, I will work with the LPHA staff to determine if the person needs to be temporarily excluded from school for 21 days or longer to prevent further spread and to ensure their own safety (OAR 333-019-0010).
This exclusion period aligns with state and national health guidelines and is taken with the well-being of all students, staff and the school community in mind.
The exclusion period may be extended if there are more measles cases (and thus more exposures).
Students and staff excluded from school after measles exposure should stay home to avoid exposing others in the community.
There is more information about measles and measles immunity on the back side of this letter.
If you have questions, please contact Christine Usher BSN, RN - District Nurse. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s health, please contact your doctor. If you are worried about paying to see your doctor, the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) can help. OHP is open to all children and teens younger than 19, regardless of immigration status who meet income and other criteria. You can find help enrolling here.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community healthy. This document has been made available in alternate languages. Please contact Christine Usher BSN, RN - District Nurse at (503)556-3777 ext. 415 to receive this letter in an alternate language.
Thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Christine Usher, BSN, RN
District Nurse
About measles:
Measles is a very contagious viral disease that can spread through the air when someone sick with measles coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by direct contact with nose discharge and spit of someone sick with measles.
The symptoms of measles start with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes followed by a red rash that usually begins on the head or face and spreads to the rest of the body.
People are contagious with measles for four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.
After a person who is not immune is exposed to measles, symptoms usually develop in one to two weeks, but it can take up to three weeks.
Complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and, in rare cases, inflammation of the brain. About one in 1,000 children dies of measles.
Anyone who is not immune to measles and believes they have measles symptoms should contact their health care provider or urgent care by telephone before going into the clinic to avoid exposing others to the virus.
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You are considered immune to measles if any of the following are true:
You are a pre-school age child with one measles vaccine (MMR – measles, mumps, rubella)
You are a school-aged child or college student who has received two doses of measles vaccine
You are a healthcare worker who has had two doses of measles vaccine
You are an adult who is not a healthcare worker and who has had one dose of measles vaccine
You were born before 1957
You have had the measles, diagnosed by a health care provider and confirmed with a lab test
You have had a blood test that shows you are immune to measles
If you think you might have measles, call your primary care provider or local public health department (www.healthoregon.org/lhddirectory). You can also call 211 for questions about measles or vaccines.
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