Purdue News

April 16, 1999 Purdue officials respond to measles case WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University is organizing an immunization effort after a staff member was diagnosed with measles. The student health center is working closely with the Indiana State Board of Health to develop an immunization plan, said James Westman, director of the health center. The university already has begun identifying staff members who have come in close contact with the infected person, and immunizations have been made available for those individuals. The recommendation from the Indiana State Department of Health arrived late Friday (4/16) afternoon. Westman said he will make immunizations available to other staff members and students who may have had contact with the infected person. "It is very unlikely that we will have a widespread outbreak, as most people have been immunized already," Westman says. "For cautionary reasons, however, we will make the immunization available to anyone in the Purdue community who feels that they have not been adequately immunized. We hope to contain the outbreak to this single case." The Indiana State Department of Health recommends Purdue students and staff check their immunization status to make sure it is up-to-date. Westman says anyone born after 1956 should have two doses of measles-containing vaccine. Due to recent changes in state immunization requirements for students, the vast majority of students on campus are immune, he says. The Indiana State Board of Health confirmed the measles diagnosis Thursday (4/15). This is the first case of measles in Indiana this year, and only the fourth case of measles confirmed in Indiana since 1994. Westman said measles is a highly contagious disease with potentially serious complications. Persons with measles frequently develop ear infections and pneumonia. Inflammation and infection of the brain and brain damage also can occur. Initial symptoms of rubeola include headache, fever, coughing and watery eyes, followed by a rash. The average incubation period for measles is eight to 12 days from exposure to the onset of symptoms, which preceed the tell-tale rash by three to five days. A person is considered contagious during a period from one to two days before the onset of symptoms and up to four days after the appearance of the rash. Sources: James Westman, (765) 494-1720 Joe Bennett, vice president University Relations, (765) 494-2085 Writer: Susan Gaidos, (765) 494-2081; susan_gaidos@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page