Measles Awareness

What You Need to Know

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in existence, and cases are on the rise across the state and nation – including recent cases here in Weld County. About one in five unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles require hospitalization.

If even a single measles case is confirmed at UNC, state and county public health officials will collaborate with the university to orchestrate a significant public health response. This may include exclusion from campus for 21 days or more for:

  • Anyone who tests positive for measles,
  • Anyone who cannot provide evidence of immunity to measles (e.g., vaccination or blood test results) and/or
  • Anyone who has been exposed to measles and does not have evidence of immunity to measles.

Having a vaccine exemption on file will not prevent exclusion.

Signs and Symptoms of Measles

People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that usually starts several days after exposure on the face and spreads.

Complete List of Symptoms

How to Protect Yourself from Measles

Because measles is so contagious, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine provides the best protection against the virus.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles.

Who Should/Shouldn’t Get Vaccinated

Evidence of measles immunity includes any of the following:

  • Documentation of two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity: A positive blood test for measles IgG antibodies (often called an antibody titer or titer test).
  • Laboratory-confirmed history of the disease (confirming immunity from a past infection).
  • Being born before Jan. 1, 1957, as this was when the virus was widespread, and most people were exposed in childhood.

 

If You Develop Symptoms

  • Immediately isolate yourself from others and stay home.
  • Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible by phone.
  • Students and employees should complete the Measles Case Alert form. UNC staff will then provide guidance about next steps and respond to questions. Employees — including student employees — should immediately call or message their direct supervisor to inform them, even if the measles diagnosis is not yet confirmed.

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your healthcare provider can:

  • Confirm if you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age or laboratory evidence of prior infection.
  • Make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk for getting measles.
  • If you are not immune to measles, and are within a few days of your exposure, MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk for developing measles. Your healthcare provider can advise you on next steps and monitor you for symptoms of measles. The University Health Clinic (UHC) offers post-exposure MMR vaccination during its open hours.

In addition:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider by phone as soon as possible.
  • For employees, including student employees, contact your supervisor to inform them of your exposure and receive additional guidance.
  • Students and employees should complete the Measles Case Alert form. UNC staff will then provide guidance about next steps and respond to questions.

If you are not vaccinated and do not have evidence of immunity, take the following additional step, even if you have no symptoms:

  • Immediately isolate yourself from others and stay home until you receive additional public health guidance.

Information For Students

Colorado law requires students attending colleges or universities with residence halls to either have MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination if they are physically present for classes, athletics or other activities, or to meet other criteria related to vaccination.

Students enrolled exclusively in online courses and who are never physically present on campus for participation in classes, athletics or other activities are not subject to the protocols in this section but should follow public health guidance.

Check Your MMR Vaccination Status:

Most students submit their vaccination documentation to UNC’s Immunization Coordinator as a requirement during the enrollment process.

More than 97% of UNC students are fully immunized for MMR. If this applies to you, UNC’s Immunization Coordinator likely has your records on file, and you don’t need to do anything.

  • Contact UNC’s Immunization Coordinator (debra.miller@unco.edu) or call 970-351-1919.
  • Contact your medical provider or former primary or high school for your immunization records.
  • Access the Colorado Immunization Information System Public Portal if you’ve been vaccinated in Colorado.
  • Confirm your immunity with a blood (titer) test – available at the UHC or through your own medical provider. These tests usually require an order from a medical provider but are available through direct access labs without an order.

Consider receiving the MMR vaccine. Vaccine exemptions do not prevent exclusion from campus during an outbreak.

Student Campus Participation and Housing Protocol

In the event of a measles case that impacts the UNC community, UNC is required to follow guidance from state and local public health officials. With that context, we expect the university to follow the protocols below.

Students without evidence of immunity may be excluded from campus for 21 days or more, based on public health direction, whether or not they were exposed. Administration of a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication within 72-hours of exposure can eliminate the need for exclusion or quarantine.

Students without evidence of immunity, including those who live on campus, will be required to complete their exclusion or quarantine off campus at their own expense. If it is impossible for a student to do so, the university will provide support to develop an appropriate exclusion or quarantine plan.

Students who are diagnosed with measles will be excluded from campus during their infectious period for up to 21 days (through four days after rash onset). It is recommended that students consider returning home during this period if they can do so without exposing other non-immune people. Using public transportation such as buses, trains, airplanes, etc. is not allowed. Individuals who transport anyone who is ill should be immune to measles.

Students — including those who live on campus — will be expected to isolate off campus at their own expense. If it is impossible for a student to do so, the university will provide support to develop an appropriate isolation plan.

Information For Faculty and Staff

Check Your MMR Vaccination Status:

To prevent unnecessary absences and support the wellness of the university community, faculty and staff are encouraged to have their immunization records or other evidence of immunity readily available for review.

  • Contact your medical provider or former high school or college for your immunization records. Many schools retain immunization documentation.
  • Access the Colorado Immunization Information System Public Portal if you’ve been vaccinated in Colorado.
  • If you attended UNC, contact UNC’s Immunization Coordinator Deb Miller (debra.miller@unco.edu) or call 970-351-1919, as your records may still be on file.
  • Confirm your immunity with a blood (titer) test – available at the UHC or through your own medical provider. These tests usually require an order from a medical provider.

Consider receiving the MMR vaccine. Two doses of vaccine offer 97% protection.

Faculty and Staff Campus Participation

In the wake of one or more measles cases on campus, faculty and staff without evidence of immunity — even those who have not been directly exposed — may be excluded from campus for a period of 21 or more days, per state public health requirements.

Faculty and staff without evidence of immunity who have been exposed to measles and who do not receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within the recommended 72-hour timeframe may be excluded from campus for an extended quarantine period of 21 days or more, per state public health regulations.

Faculty and staff who are diagnosed with measles will be excluded from campus during their infectious period for up to 21 days (through four days after rash onset).

Vaccination and Testing on Campus at the UHC

The University Health Clinic (UHC) provides measles vaccinations and titer tests to students and employees on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Individuals who want to confirm their immunity via titer will first need to meet with a UHC medical provider. The UHC accepts many health insurance plans — including the student health insurance plan and Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) — and will bill insurance for services provided.

If the UHC is closed, visit this UHC webpage for a list of off-campus healthcare providers.

Additional vaccination and testing options

Other vaccination options include off-campus healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Make sure to confirm availability of MMR vaccine before visiting. Titer tests generally require an order from a healthcare provider. To get a titer without a doctor’s order, search the internet for “Direct Access Labs.” The MMR vaccine is a covered benefit under many health insurance plans, but your out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on whether the provider you choose is in-network with your health insurance plan.

For more information about measles requirements on campus, contact Health Services Manager Deb Miller debra.miller@unco.edu.

FAQs

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. A person with measles can infect up to 90% of the people close to them who are not immune.

Severe cases of measles can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization in one in five cases, pneumonia, brain swelling, pregnancy difficulties and immune amnesia. Individuals who are immunocompromised or pregnant are at higher risk for serious complications.

Measles is spread through the air and can live for up to 2 hours in a space after an infected person leaves.  This means that each infected person has the potential to expose hundreds of others.

People with measles can spread the illness four days before the rash starts until four days after.

People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure.

Routine vaccines, such as MMR, are typically covered by insurance plans. To determine any out-of-pocket costs, please call your insurance company.

Perhaps. Call your insurance company to verify if and where testing is covered. If your insurance will not cover testing, you can still:

  • Get tested at the UHC. Without health insurance, the typical cost is about $20.
  • Get tested at a direct access lab in the community. The typical out-of-pocket cost is about $30 but be sure to confirm the price before you are tested.

Additional Resources