The measles outbreak that started in Texas has made its way to Colorado, with three confirmed measles cases in the state. There are 122 UCCS students who do not have vaccination records on file.
According to the CDC, the United States’ MMR vaccine target coverage is 95% to maintain the elimination of measles; however, Colorado’s coverage rate in the 2023-24 school year was 88.3%. There have been cases reported in Pueblo, Denver and Pagosa Springs.
In the event of a positive measles case on campus, those who have not submitted vaccination records will have to be quarantined from campus, according to the Director of Health Services Billie Jo Baptiste.
“If you are either partially immunized or not immunized for measles, consider getting the MMR vaccine or a blood test that measures immunity to measles,” Baptiste said.
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that is spread via contact with an infected person or an infected surface. Droplets can remain infectious for up to two hours after the infected person has left the area.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to, high fever, runny nose, bumpy, red spots in the mouth called Koplick’s spots and, most notably, a rash. The rash spreads from the infected person’s head to their torso and lower extremities.
Those who have previously had measles or been exposed to the virus may be immune. According to Medline Plus, immunity is determined by testing for IgG antibodies in the blood.
Those infected are contagious starting four days before the rash appears, with the day the rash appears counting as day zero. Those infected should quarantine during this time.
On average, measles lasts 10-14 days. In severe cases, measles can cause long-term health problems, and even death. Measles can destroy immune system cells responsible for remembering past infections, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Diagnoses require either a blood test, urine sample, or throat or nose swab.
While there is no specific cure or treatment for measles, the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at prevention when properly administered, according to the CDC.
Breakthrough infections, or when vaccinated people get the virus, can still occur when there is a high level of measles circulating, according to the CDC. Breakthrough infections account for approximately 5% of all cases.
As of April 17, the US has had 800 confirmed cases of measles this year, a significant increase from the 285 confirmed cases in 2024.
Students who are not vaccinated and would like to be can receive vaccinations at their doctor’s office, local pharmacies or by scheduling an appointment with El Paso County Public Health department.
Students can contact the Wellness Center for more information regarding measles.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock.