Students, Staff at Issaquah Alternative School Exposed to Measles

A staff person at Tiger Mountain Community High School has been diagnosed with measles. Students, staff, parents or volunteers who were at the school between Jan. 23 and Jan. 25, and who are not already immune may be at risk for developing measles.

Though Patch could not confirm right away that the individual is the same person the King County Health Department has so far only confirmed one Issaquah-area case. That person became ill after being exposed at Sea-Tac airport earlier in the month.

Measles is a respiratory disease that is caused by a virus. Measles is easily spread between people by airborne or droplet spread of the virus from the nose and mouth of a person with measles (especially when coughing and sneezing). If any person was at this school and not immune to measles, the most likely time that he or she could become sick is between Jan. 30th and Feb. 4, or as late as Feb. 15, 2013. The King County Health Department provided Patch with information about who is considered immune.

Tiger Mountain Community High School students, staff, and volunteers who are exempt from measles vaccine for any reason (personal, religious, or medical) will be notified of this exposure and will be excluded from school through February 15th, or the duration of the incubation period for measles, to protect them and others.

Symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes. If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, notify your doctor immediately. Make sure your doctor knows you (or your child) have been exposed to measles prior to going to any health care setting in order to prevent exposing others to this serious infection. In order to prevent further spread of measles, please stay home from community settings, like stores or malls, if you (or your child) develop any of these symptoms.

Children and adults with measles can have serious complications such as pneumonia, or encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can cause convulsions, deafness, and mental retardation. Pregnant women who get measles can have miscarriages or premature delivery.

--Information from the Issaquah School District