State and county health officials have informed the University of Minnesota that a case of measles has been confirmed in a student on the Twin Cities campus.
University students, faculty and staff who have been immunized against measles are not at risk, and the University population is highly immunized due to enrollment requirements. However, because measles is highly infectious among those who have not been vaccinated, the University is sharing this information as a precaution. Any faculty or staff members who have not been vaccinated for measles, and who have concerns about exposure should contact their health care provider. Students with concerns can contact Boynton Health Service.
The ill student had recently returned from international travel, and is now self-isolating off campus while recovering. Prior to being diagnosed, the student attended classes from January 20 through January 23 on the East Bank, and had visited the University Recreation and Wellness Center on the evening of January 20. The University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center and Boynton Health Service are working closely with public health officials to contact anyone who may have been exposed to measles from the ill student. Local physicians, clinics and hospitals are being alerted to watch for patients with measles symptoms.
Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include rash, accompanied by fever and in some cases cough or runny nose. Symptoms appear about eight to 12 days after a person is exposed to measles. The first symptom is usually fever. The rash usually appears two to three days after the fever begins and lasts five to six days. The disease has become very rare in the United States thanks to widespread vaccination.
For more information about measles, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health website.
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