Updated Feb 23, 2015
This revised FAQ contains important information regarding a directive from the Princeton Health Department and updated information.
Starting Feb 19, the University began relaying a directive from the municipal Department of Health to certain individuals, including faculty, staff, consultants, and temporary employees, who were born after Dec. 31, 1956, and were in the same area as a student with measles between Feb. 4 and Feb. 8. The municipal Health Department is requiring these individuals to remain off campus until they prove they are protected from the measles. Those receiving the message worked in the buildings where the measles-infected student visited during certain timeframes that are also listed below. The following FAQ was developed for supervisors to provide guidance to these faculty and staff members and others who may have questions. Please read it carefully.
What should I do immediately if I supervise people in the buildings that were identified (see below)?
As directed by the town health department, the University is sending instructions to individuals, including faculty, staff, consultants, and temporary employees, who we believe were in the affected buildings during certain times. Individuals who were not in these locations at these times have been instructed to report that to Employee Health Services at [email protected] or 609-258-5035. They need to take no further action.
In order to return to work, all other recipients of the email messages, and any other individuals who recognize that they were in these buildings at these times, must do one of the following:
-
Go to University Health Services for a blood test that will prove immunization. This is a free service. The Quest Lab is located in the lower level by Employee Health Services located at University Health Services (UHS), McCosh Health Center. We strongly encourage employees to take advantage of this option because it is the most expedient and cost-effective one. Despite the general requirement to remain off campus, employees will be permitted to visit McCosh Health Center for the purpose of taking this test.
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Call their doctor and explain they may have been exposed to the measles. Inquire where they should go to obtain a blood test that will prove immunization. Arrange for the test results to be faxed or emailed to UHS at (609) 258-0976
or [email protected]. The cost for this service provided by your own physician will be processed through your health insurance. You will be responsible for any associated out-of-pocket costs.
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Individuals who have the documentation of immunization at home or can readily obtain it from their doctors should fax or email it to UHS at (609) 258-0976
or [email protected].
As required by the municipal Health Department, employees must remain off campus until the results from the blood work are completed and individuals are approved by UHS to return to work. If the University has not received proof of immunization of the above methods within the next few days, the University is required to notify the Princeton Health Department. Local agencies may contact individuals and will likely place them under quarantine.
The affected buildings and time frames are as follows. If a member of your staff was in any of these buildings at the specified times described below and has not received an email, please instruct that staff member to contact Employee Health.
Location |
Date |
Time |
---|---|---|
1938 Hall |
Wednesday, February 4 |
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. |
Blair Hall (Tower 3) |
Wednesday, February 4 |
7:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m. |
Butler College (Dining) |
Friday, February 6 |
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. |
Dillon Gym |
Sunday, February 8 |
2:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. |
Frick Lab |
Wednesday, February 4 |
10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. |
Friday, February 6 |
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. |
|
Frist Campus Center |
Thursday, February 5 |
7:30 p.m.–1:00 a.m. |
Friend Center and Computer Science |
Thursday, February 5 |
11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
Holder Hall |
Friday, February 6 |
11:30 p.m.–3:30 a.m. |
McCosh Health Center |
Sunday, February 8 |
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. |
Monday, February 9 |
3:00 a.m.–6:00 a.m. |
|
New South |
Wednesday, February 4 |
10:00 p.m.–1:30 a.m. |
Friday, February 6 |
9:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. |
|
Saturday, February 7 |
8:00 p.m.–1:30 a.m. |
|
Rockefeller College (Dining) |
Friday, February 6 |
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. |
Spelman |
Friday, February 6 |
1:00 a.m.–4:30 a.m. |
Friday, February 6 |
7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. |
|
Sunday, February 8 |
9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
|
Wallace Hall |
Wednesday, February 4 |
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
Friday, February 6 |
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. |
|
Wilson College (Dining) |
Sunday, February 8 |
7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. |
Whitman College (Dining) |
Wednesday, February 4 |
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. |
Wednesday, February 4 |
6:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
|
Thursday, February 5 |
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
|
Thursday, February 5 |
6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. |
|
Saturday, February 7 |
7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
|
Saturday, February 7 |
11:30 p.m.–2:30 a.m. |
What if my employee received an email and was not in the building at these times?
That employee should call, email, or fax the information to Employee Health Services.
Who is being required to remain off campus?
Those who received notification and others who were in the locations at the times specified above must remain off campus until they submit the proof required by the Department of Health. Please note employees who were born on or before December 31, 1956, are considered by the public health officials to be immune and are not subject to the Department of Health directive.
Why don’t people born before 1957 have to prove they are protected?
People born before Jan. 1, 1957, lived during the era when measles were common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider them immune to the disease.
Will the employees who leave campus for this reason be paid while they are out of the office?
Yes. They will be paid as if they were at work and until they are permitted to return to work.
When can the employee return to work?
Employees can return to work when cleared by UHS. Employee Health Services will contact you as each employee is cleared.
Until they can prove they are protected, the Health Department requires that the employee not be on campus and directs them to quarantine at home. The length of quarantine depends on when they may have been exposed, but could extend as late as March 2. (Check with Employee Health Services to verify the return date.)
How will I know when my employee can return to work?
Employee Health will contact your employee with clearance to return to work. In most cases, they will simultaneously inform you. Your employee is encouraged to share the information with you.
What do I do if my employee does not seem to be making progress towards getting documentation or testing?
You should follow up. If your employees are having trouble finding documentation, ask them to go to Employee Health Services in McCosh Health Center for testing. Remind them that If they do not comply within a few days, the University is obligated to provide their contact information to the Health Department. The Health Department will forward the information to local health officials where the employee lives.
My employee says that he is protected, but cannot find documentation. Can’t we take their word for it?
No. The municipal Health Department requires that they provide documentation with specific dates on which immunizations were administered.
My employee is protected, but is concerned about carrying the disease home or to his coworkers. What do I tell my employee?
Measles is not spread that way. Only someone who has measles can spread it. An individual may be contagious for four days before a rash appears, but someone who is does not have measles cannot spread it.
Now that the suspected case of measles has been confirmed, are additional precautions or actions needed?
No. Following the guidance and requirements of state and municipal health officials, the University has been taking steps based on the presumption that the case would be confirmed. No new measures are recommended.
Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
Supervisors with additional questions can call the Office of Human Resources at (609) 258-3300.
Back to Measles.