Dear child care providers,

In response to questions from providers and families about how to manage illnesses, we’re passing along tips related to respiratory illness and measles.

Tips to Help Children and Staff Stay Healthy

Respiratory Illnesses

The exponential rise in children’s hospitalizations from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and influenza-like-illnesses (ILI) has placed an unprecedented strain on our hospitals and emergency departments (EDs).

As a result of this increase, Minnesota hospitals are receiving an overwhelming number of parents and guardians requesting notes from hospital staff, specifically in EDs. The increase in requests for these notes has placed an additional burden on an already strained system. If your policy necessitates notes from medical providers for child absences, please consider asking parents to request these notes from a healthcare provider instead of going to the ED.

We continue to encourage programs to promote basic public health measures including handwashing, covering your cough, staying home if sick and promoting vaccination. Thank you for your continued leadership to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children and staff.

Measles

Minnesota has confirmed 22 cases of measles since June of 2022 in children who have not been vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is substantially more than we typically see within a year in Minnesota. In the last month, children sick with measles have attended a licensed child care center and two public schools.

Since measles is very contagious, public health recommends unvaccinated people that have been in contact with a confirmed case of measles remain out of school and child care for up to 21 days. If someone with measles may have been at your child care please immediately contact Minnesota Department of Health. Having accurate and complete vaccination and attendance records is critical in reducing the spread of measles in a child care setting.

Due to quick action taken by the child care center that recently had a child with measles in attendance, additional spread of measles was limited. Being vaccinated with the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. It is important to ensure that children and staff have been vaccinated against measles. Please read the following information for steps you can take to prepare for a measles case in your child care: Measles in Child Care.

Thank you.