Measles (also called rubeola, red measles, or hard measles) is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable illness. 

Symptoms
Early symptoms resemble a cold with fever, cough, runny nose, and watery, red eyes. Two to three days after symptoms begin Koplik spots (tiny white spots) may appear inside the mouth. On the third to fifth day, a red blotchy rash appears. The rash usually begins at the hairline on the face, spreading down the trunk and out the arms and legs. Measles is sometimes complicated by ear infection, pneumonia, or diarrhea. 

Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) may occur, which can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with an intellectual disability. Death is rare but can occur in those who develop respiratory and neurologic complications.

Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until 4 days after the rash appears. A child with measles should stay at home during this time period and not have any visitors. Exclude unvaccinated children and staff who are not vaccinated within 72 hours of exposure or given immune globulin (IG) within 6 days of exposure. Susceptible children and staff who do not receive the above prophylaxis should be excluded for 21 days after the onset of rash in the last person who developed measles.
Recommendations for exclusion should be done in collaboration with your local/state public health department.

Prevention/Control

1. If your child develops cold-like symptoms with a fever and/or rash, keep him/her at home and contact your health care provider for diagnosis. Please do not go to any clinic or emergency room without calling first. They will want to keep your child separate from others to prevent further spread. 

2. Refer to the Kentucky immunization regulations for childhood vaccination schedule.

3. Adults born on or after January 1, 1957, who have not had two doses of measles vaccine after 12 months of age should be immunized. 

4. If you or your child is not protected, contact your health care provider or your local public health clinic as soon as possible to obtain your immunizations. Children who have not received a measles vaccine will be excluded from any child care setting in which a case of measles occurs. Please notify your child care provider when your child is immunized so his/her records can be updated. 

5. Practice good hand hygiene.

Is it Reportable?

Provider: This disease is reportable to the local or state health department. Only one case of measles is considered an outbreak. 

Parents/guardians: Inform your child care provider if your child has this illness. 

Testing for Measles

Testing for Measles should only be conducted if a person has had an exposure and is exhibiting symptoms of measles. Testing for measles should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider. 

Visit the measles testing page for more information about when to test and for provider information on sending measles tests to the Kentucky Department of Health State Laboratory.