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We have been receiving a number of questions about the
measles and there have been several more cases identified. We need to
do what we can to prevent further spread. Unimmunized children,
especially under 1 year of age, are at highest risk for developing the
disease and complications.
Incubation is 7-18 days from the exposure to the onset of
a rash. However, a person is contagious from 4 days before the rash
appears until 4 days after the rash appears. The rash starts on the
face and spreads to the hands and feet. The initial symptoms are:
fever, cough, clear runny nose, and red eyes (conjunctivitis, sometime
with discharge from the eyes). Small blue-white spots inside the cheeks
can occur in the first few days of the illness. The rash usually occurs
2 to 4 days after these initial symptoms.
Complications of measles can include: diarrhea, ear
infection, pneumonia and encephalitis which is an infection of the
brain and can result in permanent brain damage. Encephalitis occurs in
1 out of every 1000 cases of measles and more likely to occur in young
children and people who are immunocompromised. This disease is
highly contagious by airborne spread or direct contact. The measles
particles can remain suspended in a room for up to 2 hours depending on
conditions.
If your child has a a combination of the above listed
initial symptoms OR has a fever and a rash AND has not had the
MMR or is under a year of age, PLEASE NOTIFY OUR STAFF, SO THAT WE MAY
ARRANGE A CAR VISIT FOR YOU IN THE PARKING LOT. Also if you are concerned
they may have been exposed at any of the sites listed below, please
notify us.
The potential exposure sites as of today from the Public
Health Department include:
- San Diego Cooperative
Charter School (Linda Vista): Jan 24, Jan 31
- Children's Clinic La
Jolla (Bird Rock): Jan 25, Feb 5-8
- Baldwin Academy
(Pacific Beach): Feb 4
- Murray Callan Swim
(Pacific Beach): Feb 4
- Alcott Elementary
School Infant/Toddler Program (Clairemont): Feb 8
- School of Madeleine
(Clairemont): Feb 6
- San Diego Lindbergh
Airport, (esp. Gate 41): Feb 9, 830am-1230pm
- Hawaiian Airlines
Flight 15 to Honolulu: Feb 9 at 1030 am
We do have MMR vaccine available and we are now giving to
all children over 12 months of age (they have to be on or after their
first birthday). For those concerned about MMR vaccine and autism,
please see this link
for current information.
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