Measles, or rubeola, is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be serious for young children. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

Please be aware of the following exclusion criteria set forth by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) should a case of the measles be confirmed in your child’s school:

Measles is a reportable communicable disease and, therefore, the Board of Health will be notified immediately of any suspected cases and actively involved in case management. If a student is not vaccinated for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and a case of measles occurs in his/her school, they may be excluded until 21 days after rash onset in the last case of measles.  Excluded students may be readmitted if they provide proof of vaccination within 72 hours of first exposure or provide proof of immunity via bloodwork (titer) to the school nurse.

Adequate measles vaccination for school attendance as per state guidelines is as follows:

• One or more doses of a measles-containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for preschool-age children.
• Two doses of measles-containing vaccine for school-age children (K-12).
• There must be written documentation of adequate vaccination on file in your child’s school health office.