Due to a measles outbreak in Maricopa County, the ASU Student Health Center is urging students to get vaccinated.
After one case of measles was reported Sept. 7, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health declared the outbreak. Measles is contagious, so only one case was needed to announce the outbreak.
The outbreak threatens 300 to 400 ASU students who have permanent measles waivers. The waivers allow students to attend school without getting measles vaccinations. Students get measles waivers for reasons such as pregnancy or other illnesses.
Those students are at risk of getting measles, and there is a possibility that they will have to leave campus if there is a measles case at ASU, said Gary Septon, chief of medical services at the Student Health Center.
Students would be expelled from campus until the disease is cleared up, which could last up to three months, Septon said.
The infected person visited Carolina’s Restaurant in Phoenix, Gold Star Chinese Restaurant and Uncle Bear’s Bar, both in Mesa. MCDPH warned anyone who has visited those restaurants Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 to watch for symptoms such as fever, upper respiratory congestion, cough, pink eye and body rash.
MCDPH spokesman Doug Hauth said no more measles cases have been reported, but the alert will be in effect until the end of September.
“Even though it has been one case it could spread very rapidly,” he said.
Septon said because the disease is contagious it is possible that it could spread to ASU.
“Even though there was only one case, it would be pretty easy for that one person to infect others,” Septon said.
The health center e-mailed all students who have with permanent waivers on Thursday, asking them to reconsider their waivers and get vaccinated, Student Health director Mary Rimsza said.
“Even though some people think measles is a benign disease, the fact is that it is one of the leading causes of death,” she said.
Measles is extremely contagious because it is an airborne disease, and it is more severe in adults than in children, Septon said.
“Anyone who doesn’t have protection against measles is at risk if there is an outbreak in the community,” he said.
Septon said a few students have come in to get measles shots since the health center sent out the e-mail. A measles vaccination costs $35 at the Student Health Center.
Reach Jennifer Voges at
jennyvoges@hotmail.com.
