Clark County Public Health is investigating a measles outbreak in the community. The investigation has identified Eisenhower Elementary School as a possible site of measles exposure. You/your child may have been exposed to the virus. Exposures occurred Jan. 8-9. Eisenhower Elementary School and Vancouver Public Schools are working closely with Clark County Public Health to stop transmission and prevent further exposures at the school.
To prevent transmission and reduce the risk of exposure to measles, Clark County Public Health is requiring that persons without documented immunity to measles be excluded from Eisenhower Elementary School and all other child care, school and congregate settings until 21 days have passed since date of last known possible exposure (Jan. 9). Accordingly, exclusion will begin Jan. 16 and extend until Jan. 30. Excluded individuals will be allowed to return to school on Jan. 30. We will extend this exclusion period if another case occurs at the school.
If you/your child have already provided documentation of immunity to measles to Eisenhower Elementary School, you/your child may continue to attend school as usual. If documentation of immunity has not previously been provided to school staff, you/your child may return to school immediately upon providing appropriate documentation or when the exclusion period has ended.
Documentation of immunity may be provided through any of the following:
- Date of birth before 1957.
- Record of age-appropriate measles vaccination with a live measles virus-containing vaccine: one dose for children 12 months through 3 years old; two doses for anyone 4 years and older; one dose for adults, verified by a licensed health care provider.
- A letter from a licensed health care provider documenting infection with and full recovery from previous measles illness.
- A letter from a licensed health care provider that confirms a blood test or serology showing measles immunity.
Since measles vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, we recommend that pregnant women who are not immune talk to their health care provider about potential exposure to measles.
Even if you have documented immunity to measles, please watch for the signs and symptoms of the disease. If you suspect you/your child is ill with measles, please inform the school and seek medical care as needed. Call your health care provider before visiting the medical office to make a plan that avoids exposing others in the waiting room. Additional information regarding measles is available on the Clark County website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Eisenhower Elementary School, your child’s health care provider or Clark County Public Health’s Communicable Disease team (564-397-8182).