Announcements
Measles Notice (04/29/16):
You may be aware of recent news that there are six cases of Measles in Shelby County. Two of the adult cases are in close proximity to UofM campus. At this time there are NO reported cases on campus.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine preventable viral infection that spreads through the air when a person infected with it breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It starts with a high fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the head and gradually moves down the body. The rash illness lasts about a week. People who contract the measles virus can spread the infection for four days before developing a rash and four days after the rash starts. Measles can spread easily to people who are not vaccinated or who have not had the measles illness before. Those most at risk for severe illness and complications from measles are infants and children under 5 years of age, unimmunized adults over 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.
If you believe you are experiencing these symptoms, call the Memphis and Shelby County Hotline at 901.222.9299. DO NOT go to the Emergency Room. Visit your Health Care provider or go to a local Shelby County Healthcare Clinic at an address listed in the link below. It is a good idea to call your Healthcare Provider first, as they will want to isolate you from the other patients in the office. Anyone who is exposed to measles who has not been vaccinated or had the disease should seek immediate preventative treatment from your Healthcare Provider or the Shelby County Health Department.
If you have not received the MMR vaccine, or are not sure, should contact your health care provider as soon as possible to arrange for immunization. If you do not have a health care provided, you can call the Shelby County Health Department Immunization Clinic at 901.222.9331. The MMR vaccine is safe and very effective at preventing measles infection. Two doses of MMR are routinely recommended for all college students.
For information on measles and the local outbreak, visit the Shelby County Health Department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.