Preventing the Spread of Measles in Your Office

February 12, 2015

If you’ve read a newspaper or viewed a nightly news program recently then you know about the growing problem of the measles spreading. NBC News has stated on their website that the outbreak of measles at a California theme park just last week is likely from overseas carried over by a tourist.

A few days ago an Illinois daycare facility reported 1 adult and 6 children were diagnosed with the measles. Overall the CDC has confirmed 122 people across 18 states have been infected.

For those unaware of what the measles are, it’s a respiratory disease caused by a virus that grow on the cells that line the back of one’s throat and lungs. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-10 days after a person is infected and include: blotchy rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, achy, and white spots found inside the mouth. Other complications may include pneumonia, ear infections, or diarrhea.

If you have not contracted the measles, there are several precautions you can take:

1) Get your MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine from your doctor or local hospital. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommend children receive two doses (12 to 15 months of age and 4 to 6 years of age). Adults should receive at least one dose of the vaccine.
2) If at work, vigorously clean your desk, computers, pens and other items. Measles are an airborne virus spread by sneezing, coughing, or speaking. Disinfecting items around you will help.
3) If at home, vigorously clean countertops, bedding, and commonly touched items (remotes, door handles, sinks, toilets, etc.

Measles outbreaks have occurred in the past (most recently in October 2007), but the advancement of medicine and better trained physicians have stopped the spreading of measles.