South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) officials confirmed a case of measles in an individual affiliated with Clemson University over the weekend.
To prepare for potential campus exposures and prevent the need for a lengthy quarantine, University employees are encouraged to locate their immunization records if available. Many states provide online immunization registries (including South Carolina), and most primary medical providers have immunization records on file. Locating immunization records now could considerably reduce quarantine time if exposed.
A person infected with measles is contagious four days before and after a rash begins. Isolation of an actively infectious case lasts until four full days have passed after the onset of the rash, and dates of isolation are determined by DPH.
Quarantine for measles is reserved for exposed individuals without documented vaccination or immunity, as outlined here, and lasts for 21 days after last exposure per DPH guidelines. If a person without documented vaccination or immunity receives a dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours after last exposure, they do not have to quarantine.
According to DPH, the measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. Refer to the DPH Recommendations for Measles Vaccination chart for detailed vaccination recommendations.
DPH’s measles page contains what people need to know about measles (e.g., video, educational materials), and frequently asked questions about symptoms, prevention, vaccination history and DPH’s role in protecting South Carolina from measles.
