This message was sent out to the University community on April 25, 2019, on behalf of the L.A. County Department of Public Health:
The Health Officer has confirmed that a person diagnosed with measles visited the University Library, North Building on Thursday, April 11, 2019 between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm during which they could have passed the infection to others.
If you visited the University Library, North Building on Thursday, April 11, 2019 between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm and do not have documentation of measles immunity (documentation of two doses of MMR immunization or a positive measles IgG blood test), you may have been exposed to measles and could spread it to others, even if you do not have any symptoms.
If you visited the University Library, North Building during the above period, you must do the following:
- Notify the Student Health Center at (323) 343-3302 that you visited the University Library, North Building during on the above day and between those hours.
- They will give you instructions on how to provide documentation of your immunity to measles.
- You must be quarantined through Thursday, May 2, 2019, if you do not have evidence of immunity(documentation of two doses of MMR immunization or a positive measles IgG blood test) to prevent the chance of you spreading the measles virus to others. (The Department of Public Health will provide you with a Health Officer Order that contains written instructions for how to quarantine yourself).
The Student Health Center or your health care provider may be able to assist you in providing evidence of immunity to measles to the Department of Public Health.
Quarantine involves remaining at home or another specified location, preferably having no contact with others who have not been screened and cleared to have immunity to measles, until the end of their quarantine period or until they provide evidence of immunity. Quarantine for measles can be up to 21 days from the date of last exposure, at which time the exposed person is no longer a risk for developing the disease and spreading measles to others. Being in quarantine also involves closely monitoring for any symptoms that may indicate onset of illness.
Measles is highly contagious. It can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes and can also stay on surfaces for many hours. About 90% of people who are exposed and not immune to measles become ill 7-21 days after exposure. Two doses of measles immunization are about 97% effective. Thus, getting immunized is the best way to prevent getting and spreading measles. Immunization protects not only the person who receives the immunization but also reduces the chance that measles will spread to family members, coworkers and friends.
For more information about measles, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/measles/