Per communicable disease law, Union County Public Health Director Traci Colley has issued more than 170 quarantine orders to individuals connected to Shining Light Baptist Academy in Monroe. The exposure of the 170+ individuals stems from an unvaccinated child who attends the school, resides in Mecklenburg County, and contracted measles connected to an outbreak in South Carolina. The child attended school while contagious. To protect the child's privacy, no additional information about the child will be released.

Under communicable disease protocols, this resulted in exposure of the entire school community. The situation is evolving, and public health officials anticipate further spread due to the high transmissibility of measles. At this time, there are no confirmed measles cases in Union County, and no isolation orders have been issued. All 170+ quarantine orders apply only to students and staff at the school. School leadership has notified parents and staff of the exposure and has been working closely and cooperatively with public health officials.

“We are working with our Public Health Department as we are both seeking the safety and well-being of our students, their families and our community,” said Tim Cruse, Pastor and Superintendent of Shining Light Baptist Academy.

Quarantine orders are issued due to exposure, while isolation orders are issued only when a person is confirmed to have contracted measles. Communicable disease nurses are directly contacting every affected family. Individuals under quarantine may not return to school or be in public for 21 days unless they provide proof of immunity through vaccination or bloodwork confirming measles antibodies. Immunization records may be obtained by contacting your medical provider. Family members of those under quarantine are not required to quarantine unless symptoms develop.

Public health officials expect that confirmed cases in Union County may be forthcoming due to the infectiousness of measles. If confirmed cases occur, isolation orders would be issued at that time.

"As measles spreads into our region, we encourage residents to ensure they are up to date on their MMR vaccination to help protect themselves and others," Colley said. "Measles cases are increasing across the Carolinas, which shows how quickly this disease can spread. Public Health stands ready to support our community with guidance and vaccination resources to prevent further transmission."

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that spreads to others when a person with measles coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the airspace where an infected person was present. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an object contaminated with respiratory droplets and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected. Measles spreads so easily that if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 people near them will become infected if they are not immune through vaccination or prior measles illness. Given the risk of community spread, everyone is encouraged to ensure they are up to date on all immunizations, including the MMR vaccine.

Symptoms of measles usually begin 7 to 14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth 2 to 3 days after symptoms begin
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on the face, spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

An infected person can spread measles to others starting four days before and through four days after their rash appears.

Vaccination

Measles can be easily prevented with the MMR vaccine. The first dose is recommended between 12-15 months of age, with the second dose between 4–6 years. Vaccination can still prevent illness if received within a few days of exposure. It is rare for vaccinated individuals to contract measles.

Union County Public Health is offering MMR vaccinations and immunity testing:

• Children up to age 18: Free
• Adults: Minimal cost
• Insurance and Medicaid will be billed when applicable.

The Public Health vaccination clinic is open until 5 p.m. today, Friday, Jan. 23, and will reopen Monday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. due to delayed opening from inclement weather. Vaccines may also be available through pharmacies or health care providers.

Individuals under quarantine who need services at the Union County Human Services building must call Public Health at 980-273-9493 before entering.

If You Think You Have Measles

Because measles is very contagious, if you think you have contracted measles, you should stay home and contact your healthcare provider. People with symptoms of measles should not go to an emergency department or healthcare clinic without calling ahead to get guidance on when and where to go to avoid contact with others.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age.

• About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized.
• As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• About 1 child out of every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to seizures and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
• Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

More information about measles is available on our measles webpage, the NCDHHS website, and the CDC website.