Measles Information from Granite County Public Health
What You Need to Know About Measles: Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the space. If exposed, 90% of unvaccinated individuals will contract measles.
Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:
High fever
Cough, runny nose, and red eyes
Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
Diarrhea
Ear Infection
Serious complications can occur, especially in young children, including pneumonia, swelling of the brain (encephalitis), and, in rare cases, death.
How to Prevent Measles:
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. The CDC recommends:
Children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine—one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years old.
Adults who have not been vaccinated should ensure they have at least one dose.
Certain individuals, such as healthcare workers and international travelers, should have two doses.
**Any students that are unvaccinated will be required to quarantine for 21 days if there is a positive measles case anywhere within the student's school.
If you are unsure whether you or your child is fully vaccinated, please contact your healthcare provider or the Granite County Public Health Department for assistance.
At this time, there is no cause for alarm in our community, but we encourage all families to remain informed and ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations. If there were ever a case of measles in our schools or county, Granite County Public Health Department would take immediate action and notify the community with accurate information.
For the most up-to-date information on measles, visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website at: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/Measles.
Or the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/measles.
Thank you for helping us keep our communities safe and healthy.