03.075 MEASLES

Due to an increasing number of measles cases being reported to the Centers for Disease Control, the technology center has enacted this policy as a part of its effort to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases in the school environment, and to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students and employees.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has identified measles as a highly infectious disease for which an employee or student should be excluded from work or school until free of the disease, and which may require a written statement from the health department or a healthcare provider before the employee or student is permitted to return to work or school.

Symptoms:

Absent a diagnosis of a contagious disease from the health department of a healthcare provider, a school administrator may exclude from a worksite or school an employee or student suffering from or exhibiting the following symptoms:

• Fever alone 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sore throat or tonsillitis;
• Any eruption of the skin or rash;
• Any nasal discharge accompanied by fever;
• Severe cough, producing phlegm; or
• Any inflammation of the eyes or eyelids.

Symptoms of measles include high fever and red blotchy rash starting on the face then spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin to appear about 7 to 14 days after a person is infected, but can be as long as 21 days. Most cases start with a mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and sore throat. About three to five days later, a red rash appears. The rash begins at the hairline, then spreads down the rest of the body. When the rash appears, the fever may be as high as 103°F to 105°F. Other symptoms may include Koplik’s spots (tiny white spot with bluish-white centers in the mouth), and feeling run down or achy. Symptoms may last for one to two weeks.

Measles is passed from person to person by airborne droplets through coughing or sneezing. Measles can also be spread by contact with nose and throat secretions from ill persons, or touching a contaminated surface. Infected people can spread the virus four days before their rash starts to four days after.

Measles can be prevented by the measles vaccine (usually given in combination with rubella and mumps vaccines, or MMR vaccine), and is recommended for all children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at four to six years of age. If a person has not received a second dose of the vaccine between four and six years of age, it may be given at any age thereafter. The two doses of vaccine normally provide lifelong immunity.

Any student or employee who is determined to be infected with measles shall be prohibited from attending work or school until a health officer (licensed physician, licensed physician’s assistant, health department official, school nurse, etc.) has determined that the individual is free of the condition or that there is no danger of the condition spreading to others in the school environment.

Exceptions

Students and employees with unique health circumstances may request an exception to this policy by providing a statement from a physician certifying that there is no danger of the condition spreading to others in the school environment. The technology center will comply with physician instructions when implementing the requirements of this policy.

Reporting and Additional Information

Any technology center employee who suspects a measles infection through either observation of parent/guardian report should report it immediately to the county health department. While local health officials may release pertinent information about a suspected infection or confirmed infection, technology center employees are prohibited from disclosing information regarding the medical condition of a student or fellow employee.

Any person suspecting they have been exposed to measles should contact their healthcare provider or county health department. Additional information regarding measles and symptoms of an infection is available as follows:

Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-5600
Toll free: (800) 522-0203