May 15, 2019 at 8:15pm: We have been working with the Snohomish Health District throughout the day to review student vaccination records. According to our records, almost 99% of North Creek students have received the MMR vaccination. We have contacted the North Creek families who have students that have not received the vaccination. These students will be excluded from school until June 3, barring any additional confirmed cases.
The Snohomish Health District is developing a list of locations the individual visited while infectious. Anyone who visited these locations during the specified times may have been exposed. To learn more about measles and review exposure sites, please visit the Snohomish Health District website.
We are working closely with the Snohomish Health District and following their direction as we address this public health concern. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
May 15, 2019 at 1:12pm: A confirmed case of measles has been reported at North Creek High School. We are urging families to monitor their children for signs of measles. If you believe your child may have measles, please call their health care provider — do not go in. If you must take your child to the Emergency Room, please call ahead to let them know you are coming and that you suspect measles. If your child has not been fully immunized with the MMR vaccine, please talk with your health care provider about getting the immunization. You can also contact your school nurse for more information and resources.
Measles Overview
Measles is extremely contagious and can be serious, especially for young children. If your child has measles, please keep them home.
- Measles virus travels through the air. You can get measles if you go near someone who has the virus because the virus stays for up to two hours in the air of a room where a person with measles has been.
- You can catch measles from an infected person as early as four days before they have a rash and for up to four days after the rash appears.
- Almost everyone who has not had the vaccine will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus.
- Foreign travel or exposure to foreign travelers increases the risk for measles.
- Measles is the deadliest of all childhood rash/fever illnesses.
The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Make sure to protect yourself and your children with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Measles Symptoms
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Red and watery eyes
- Tiredness
After a few days, a rash begins, which usually starts on the face and can spread over the entire body. Measles usually lasts 7 to 10 days.
In some people, measles also leads to serious problems such as pneumonia, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and death, especially people who have chronic medical problems, are pregnant or are malnourished.
Additional Information
You can find more information about Measles in Washington by visiting the Washington Department of Health website.