BY SUPT. JENNIFER GUY
Los Alamos Public Schools

Recently, New Mexico had a confirmed case of measles, a highly contagious infectious disease, in New Mexico. As a community, we can work together to limit the spread of measles. At this time, we do not know of any cases in the Los Alamos Public Schools. 

Initial symptoms occur 7-14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed 2-4 days later by a rash that moves from the head downward. Sometimes immunocompromised patients do not develop the rash. Measles has the potential to cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and even death. It is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets spread by an infected person through coughing and sneezing. 

Infected people are contagious from 4 days before their rash starts through 4 days afterwards; therefore, infected persons need to isolate at home for four days after the rash develops. Even after an infected person leaves a location, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours. 

Those most at risk for severe illness or the disease are:  

• Anyone who has not been vaccinated with two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine. 
•  Infants and children under 5 years of age.  
• Immunocompromised students and staff members.  
• Pregnant women 

Please contact your healthcare provider and school nurse as soon as possible if you suspect that you or a family member may have measles or may have been exposed to someone with measles. You may get information about vaccinations or measles from your healthcare provider, your school nurse, or by visiting: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/vaccine/.