Measles
Crandall ISD remains committed to the health and safety of our students, staff, and families. As the measles outbreak in Texas continues, Texas Department of Health and Human Services urges our community to stay informed and vigilant.
Current Situation:
- The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported the first measles-related death in this outbreak. The school-aged child, who was unvaccinated, was hospitalized in Lubbock and tested positive for measles.
- Since late January, 146 confirmed cases of measles have been reported statewide, including one case in Rockwall.
- Twenty individuals have been hospitalized due to the virus.
- Most cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
For the latest updates, visit the Texas DSHS Health Alerts and Updates page.
Understanding Measles:
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will become infected.
Symptoms typically begin 1-2 weeks after exposure and may include:
- High fever
- Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
- A red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads downward
A person with measles is contagious four days before the rash appears and up to four days after. Anyone diagnosed with measles should stay home from school, childcare, and other public settings during this period.
Measles Can Be Serious:
Approximately 1 in 5 people with measles require hospitalization, with young children being at higher risk for severe complications.
Vaccination is the Best Protection:
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides 97% protection against measles when both doses are received. The vaccine is safe, effective, and remains the best defense against the spread of measles.
School Attendance & Exclusion:
If a student in our district is diagnosed with measles:
- Any unvaccinated student, regardless of exemption status, may receive an MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to remain in school.
- If not vaccinated within that time frame, they will be excluded from school for 21 days after their last known exposure, per Texas Administrative Code §97.7.
For more details, please refer to the Communicable Disease Chart for Schools and Childcare.
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please contact your campus nurse.
