The information below is pulled from OSPI’s Bulletin April 25, 2025
Measles continues to spread in the United States. Unvaccinated U.S. residents returning from travel abroad are the most significant source of measles cases. As of April 17, 2025, there have been 800 measles cases in 25 states, including Washington (Measles Cases and Outbreaks | CDC).
What schools can do to prepare:
1. Identify your Local Health Jurisdiction contacts
Schools should contact their Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) if there is suspected measles or other communicable disease in the building. Be prepared in advance and identify a contact at the LHJ now. The Local Public Health Officer will direct and coordinate the response during a suspected case or outbreak (WAC 246-110-020).
2. Create or update the school list
In the case of an exposure in a school, you should be prepared to quickly identify all individuals, students, and staff who do not have immunity to measles (MMR vaccine doses or laboratory evidence of immunity). Having a staff immunizations list is not mandatory, but it will help you limit the number of people you send home and give you a clear picture of whether you can stay open.
- Outbreak Susceptible List—Sample Form (Word)| (Excel). Schools and childcare centers using the School and Child Care Immunization Module can use the At-RiskReport (Training Guide for SCCIM (PDF).
- Consider communicating with staff that they may need proof of immunity, such as records documenting age-appropriate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, or laboratory-confirmed measles. Individuals born before 1957 are considered immune. Sample Staff Immunization History Form (Word).
