Measles Information for Families

Career Academy Network of Public Schools

At the Career Academy Network of Public Schools, the health and safety of our students and staff are top priorities. We want to ensure that families have the most accurate and up-to-date information about measles, especially as cases are rising in some parts of the country.

What Is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can lead to serious health complications, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of Measles

• High fever (may spike to over 104°F)
• Cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
• A red rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward
• Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) inside the mouth

Symptoms typically appear 7–14 days after exposure to the virus.

How Is Measles Spread?

Measles spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets. The virus can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. A person with measles can spread the virus before they even show symptoms.

Prevention and Protection

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella). According to the CDC, two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

We encourage all families to:

• Ensure their children are up to date on vaccinations
• Keep sick children home from school and report any diagnosed cases of measles to the school nurse immediately
• Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes

What We’re Doing

In the event of a confirmed case within one of our schools, the Career Academy Network will follow all public health guidelines, including:

• Promptly notifying affected families
• Working with the local health department to ensure appropriate action is taken
• Supporting families with information and resources

Stay Informed

For more information, visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Measles
• Indiana State Department of Health

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse or principal. Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and healthy.

Measles CDC Informational Videos 

How Contagious is Measles: 

https://youtu.be/RHs25-jziQ8 

Measles and International Travel: 

https://youtu.be/xHa8npVGjXA 

Measles Complications: 

https://youtu.be/1gI-PS7AKug 

Current Measles Updates 

National Measles Cases and Outbreaks (scroll down for link to Indiana specific updates): 

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html 

Indiana Measles Resources and Information 

Health: Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention Division: Measles