DPH Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program: Measles Update for Education Sector
County of Los Angeles, California sent this bulletin at 02/07/2024 09:01 AM PSTGreetings Education Sector Partners,
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed one case of measles in a resident who traveled through Los Angeles International (LAX) airport while infectious on January 25, 2024. This is the first case of measles in LA County since 2020.
Public Health is currently investigating multiple exposures related to this case. See press release for more details.
Measles is a serious disease that spreads rapidly in people. Nine out of 10 people who have not had the measles vaccine will get measles if they are exposed to the virus. It is an airborne virus and spreads through droplets in the air and on surfaces after an infected person breathes, talks, sneezes, or coughs. Getting measles is a serious health risk for students and staff who have never had their Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) or Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMRV) vaccine. In the fall of 2022, schools in Los Angeles County reported that 16% of their kindergarten cohorts fell below 95% coverage rate for MMR. In schools where there are high numbers of unvaccinated students and staff, measles can spread very easily and infect large groups of people, resulting in hospitalizations and serious disease in unvaccinated people.
Children with a known or suspected case of measles should be placed in a private room with the door closed until they can be picked up by a parent/guardian. Staff and children 2 years and older should wear well-fitting masks. If anyone on campus is confirmed or suspected of having measles, they must be excluded from campus immediately for 4 days after their rash starts, and until they are physically able to return.
Measles is a reportable disease which must be reported immediately upon suspicion:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program
- Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm: (213) 351-7800 for Epidemiologist on Duty
- After business hours: (213) 974-1234, option 8 for Administrative Officer on Duty (AOD)
The best way to protect your educational community is to ensure that staff, youth, and visitors are up to date on measles vaccination. Most health insurances cover the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccine. Insured persons should check with their doctor or local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines at clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For a list of clinics that offer free or low-cost immunizations for persons who are uninsured or underinsured, call 2-1-1 or visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/clinics.htm.
Additional guidance for schools and childcare facility operators is located here. In addition, general resources for healthcare providers and the public may be accessed here.
Finally, to learn about MMR vaccine coverage for young children (kindergarten specifically) in your community, you may view the DPH School Immunization Dashboard to see vaccination rates for MMR and other required immunizations required for entry into kindergarten.
Thank you for all you do to keep your educational community safe.