There are no reported measles cases among The University of Alabama campus community, however students, faculty and staff should be aware of exposure risk and symptoms, given confirmed cases in other states. The vast majority of UA students should be vaccinated.
Typical symptoms are noted below, but anyone who suspects an active case of measles should call the UA Student Health Center and Pharmacy (205-348-6262), University Medical Center Faculty-Staff Clinic (205-348-4696) or the Alabama Department of Public Health for information and guidance.
Elsewhere, confirmed measles cases continue to rise across 15 states, including neighboring states of Georgia and Florida. Most cases have been reported in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and many in other states have resulted from travel to endemic areas or internationally.
One of the most contagious infectious diseases, measles is spread through the air and can linger in a room up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves. About a fifth of cases require hospitalization, and the disease can be fatal or cause long term neurological issues if not promptly treated. It may take from 7-14 days after contact with the virus for
Typical measles symptoms include:
- High fever (104 degrees)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Conjunctivitis
- Rash
The red and slightly bumpy rash occurs over the body and face but does not itch. Some individuals may get tiny, pinhead sized white spots surrounded by a red halo on the inside of the cheeks 2-3 days before the rash appears.
Although there is no specific treatment for measles, vaccination is highly effective in prevention. About 95% of the current cases occur in unvaccinated individuals.
Unvaccinated individuals or those unsure of their vaccine status are highly recommended to get a vaccine unless there are medical reasons not to be vaccinated. To learn more about measles, vi