There are currently ten confirmed cases of measles in Ventura County. None of those cases are at elementary, middle or high schools within Ventura County. If a case of measles should develop at a school site, the Ventura County Health Care Agency will be notified. The agency may then decide to order all under-immunized students at that school to stay home for up to 21 days.

Measles is highly contagious, but easily preventable with proper vaccinations, which have been proven to be safe and effective. According to the Ventura County Health Care Agency:

A 2-shot series starting on or after the first birthday is protective. At this time, 91.6% of all children entering kindergarten in Ventura County have had 2 MMR shots and are thus immune to catching the disease.

Measles symptoms include cough, runny nose, reddened eyes, fever, a rash and often, tiny sores in the mouth. People who contract measles are contagious for four days before they develop the rash and for four more days after they develop the rash. Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles should contact their health care professional.

The California Department of Public Health recommends that anyone not already immunized against measles gets immunized at this time. For information on a Public Health clinic near you if you are in need of immunizations, please call: 805-981-5221; for a Ventura County Health Care Agency Ambulatory Care clinic near you, please call: 805-677-5110.
 

Additional Resources 

Ventura County Health Care Agency – Measles News Release 

Ventura County Health Care Agency – Immunization Program 

California Department of Public Health – Measles Information 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Measles Information