Measles Updates updated Feb 23
- For undergraduate and graduate students
- For faculty and staff
- Campus services affected
- For more information
After additional review of laboratory tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health have confirmed the suspected case of measles at Princeton University. Preliminary results were received on Tuesday, Feb. 17. and following the guidance and requirements of state and municipal health officials, Princeton University has been taking steps based on the presumption that the case would be confirmed. No new measures are recommended. The student has recovered and is no longer contagious.
Measles is caused by a virus and is very easily spread from person to person. Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. When an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, the virus is released into the air and enters another person’s body through the nose, mouth or throat. People can also become sick if they come in contact with the mucus or saliva from an infected person. The measles virus can live on contaminated surfaces and in the air for up to two hours. Measles may be transmitted from four days before through four days after the onset of a rash.
For undergraduate and graduate students:
All individuals who are known to have been in the same areas as the student with suspected measles are being contacted. All undergraduate and graduate students who have not been fully immunized will be contacted by University Health Services (UHS), advised of their options and monitored closely, and some may need to be isolated.
More than 99.5 percent of all Princeton University students have been vaccinated
and the measles vaccine is very effective, but in rare cases even individuals whose vaccines are up-to-date might still get measles.
Undergraduate and graduate students who have symptoms consistent with measles should isolate themselves and call McCosh Health Center at (609) 258-3141 during business hours or (609) 258-3139
after hours.
For faculty and staff:
As directed by the town of Princeton Health Department, Princeton University notified certain members of the faculty and staff on Thursday, Feb. 19, that they must provide proof of protection against measles. Those notified were born after Dec. 31, 1956, and were in buildings that a student who contracted a suspected case of measles visited while he may have been contagious.
The University took this action after the New Jersey Department of Health recommended and the municipal health department required that anyone who may have been exposed not work on campus until they prove they are protected against measles. Proof can be provided by submitting immunization records or by getting a blood test that is available through Employee Health Services or an individual’s physician.
Members of the faculty and staff who have not received an email notification are asked to review the following list of buildings and times, which has been expanded since first notice on the suspected measles case was sent Wednesday.
If you were in any of these buildings at these times and were born after Dec. 31, 1956, and have not received an email regarding the requirements of the Princeton Health Department, please call Employee Health Services at 609-258-5035for instructions.
Those providing proof through blood tests at Employee Health Services in McCosh Health Center may get tested for free weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The University has contacted undergraduate and graduate students who have not been fully immunized.
Campus services affected:
The requirement that some members of the faculty and staff remain off campus has resulted in temporarily reduced staffing levels in some departments and offices on campus. Arrangements have been made to continue providing services.
Campus Dining is back to its normal operation. See Campus Dining website for updates.
See Employee Health Services website for hours for blood testing and consultation
Additional information will be provided to students, faculty and staff as it becomes available.
For More Information
Websites
- Measles - US Centers for Disease Control
- Measles FAQ - NJ Department of Health
- Measles Information NJ Department of Health
Frequently Asked Questions
- Locations and Times of Concern
- Affected Employees FAQ - updated Feb 23
- Supervisor FAQs - updated Feb 23
- Measles FAQs - updated Feb 23
- Information for Visitors, Contractors and Vendors - updated Feb 23
Communications