A Measles outbreak continues to spread in the United States, skyrocketing from  120 cases in 2017 to 322 in 2018, to over 700 in the first quarter of 2019, according to the newest data by the Centers for Disease and Control. The outbreak is widely occurring in Los Angeles and New York. The virus was declared eliminated during 2000 in the United States by efforts of the CDA and other organizations. At the time the virus had affected over three million people each year and since 2000 there have been less than 1000 cases.

“Aside from a vaccine, it is a respiratory driven [virus] which means you have to stay out of the area of anyone you know with [the measles],” school nurse, Ms. Jordan said. “Most diseases that are airborne are also [transported by] contact as well, so always wash your hands.”

Around the country, there have been 981 individual cases in 26 states in 2019, the CDC reported, the majority of which were unvaccinated people. This makes it important for people who even have been vaccinated to know what they can do to avoid the virus in addition to the vaccine.

“You’re supposed to get the [measles, mumps, and rubella] vaccine your first year, your fifth and seventh year, and then get a booster when you’re in your 40’s and 50’s,” Jordan said.

According to Jordan, It is very important to keep sanitary since the measles is both an airborne and contact spreading virus in order to decrease the chances of getting and spreading the measles especially in a school and community environment. It’s also important to know that the measles don’t act up immediately and require a period of several days for symptoms to start surfacing.

“Seven to 14 days is when you start to show symptoms, so say you just met a student and didn’t know they had measles your symptoms might not happen until a week to two weeks later, making it hard to know were you contracted the virus from,” Jordan said.

Many germs have been going around the school thanks to the fantastic weather this year making it important to stay clean and self-aware of how to keep away from getting sick. As students in a school with well over 1,000 people enrolled it is always important to keep an eye out for our own health.

“With the flu, and other prevalent diseases like mono on top of the measles going around it is important for [students] to keep their hands to themselves and touch community used objects like railings and doors as least as possible,” Jordan said.