Measles Case Confirmed On University Of Minnesota Campus
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A student at the University of Minnesota has tested positive for measles.
It's the first confirmed measles case in Minnesota this year.
University health officials say the student came down with the measles after returning home from a trip abroad.
The university sent a letter to all students Wednesday alerting them of the confirmed case on the Twin Cities campus.
The school says the student attended classes on the East Bank of campus between January 20th and the 23rd, before being diagnosed--and went to the University's recreation and wellness center.
It's the first measles case on campus in at least 20 years.
"All I know about the student is they are self-isolated, at home, recovering," the U of M's chief medical officer Gary Christiansen said.
The Minnesota Department of Health said the student diagnosed is a 20-year-old male.
University health officials aren't saying whether or not he had been vaccinated.
"Just like any kind of medical intervention or treatment, it's not going to be 100 percent effective in every single individual," Christiansen said.
Patsy Stinchfield is the director of of infection prevention and control at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
She said because measles is an airborne virus, it's highly contagious. People at risk include not only anyone who hasn't been vaccinated, but also people with weakened immune systems.
"About one in a thousand people can die from measles," she said. "If I get measles and I go into a room of people who are unvaccinated, I will expose at least 18 people just by walking through that room."
The University of Minnesota requires students to have the MMR vaccine before they can enroll.
Health officials are confident the majority of students have been immunized and therefore won't be at risk.
"We're not expecting anyone to show up with it because we just don't think it's going to be an issue here," Christiansen said.
The university is working with the Minnesota Department of Health, Hennepin County Public Health and Fairview Hospital to notify other students and staff who may have come in contact with this student.
Symptoms include rash or fever and sometimes a cough or runny nose, so if you do have any symptoms and you haven't been vaccinated, you should see a doctor immediately.
