Multistate Measles Outbreak
August 5, 2019
The CDC has reported measles cases are currently occurring in 30 states. The majority of cases are among people who were unvaccinated. The Portage Community School District would like to take this opportunity to provide information about measles and how to prevent it. For those who are not currently vaccinated, doing so can afford you protection, as well as those around you.
Measles is a viral infection that causes fever, cough, a rash, sore eyes, and can lead to serious complications. Measles spreads very easily, so it is important to protect against infection. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles.
Two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine provide the best protection against disease. These doses must be separate by at least 28 days. MMR vaccine is routinely recommended between 12-15 months and the second dose before entering school, at 4-6 years. Waivers to the school requirements are available for religious, health, and personal conviction reasons. However, in the event of an outbreak of measles students with waivers may be excluded from school until the outbreak is declared over.
It is important for you to check your child’s immunization records to make sure he/she has received two doses of MMR vaccine. You may check your child’s immunization record by logging on to the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). You may also sign in to your child’s school immunization record on Infinite Campus through the Parent Portal, Health section. Your local health department and/or family health care provider may also have your child’s immunization record.
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