Measles guidance for students, faculty and staff
This guidance outlines what University of Utah students, faculty and staff should do if they are exposed to measles, develop symptoms or are diagnosed. These actions are intended to protect the health and safety of the campus community and align with Salt Lake County Health Department requirements. This document is not medical advice.
Vaccine coverage of at least 95% with both doses of the measles vaccine prevents outbreaks and protects communities. Our data shows that the U's student body is 97% vaccinated, indicating that the campus is a relatively lower-risk community.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Measles is a highly contagious airborne illness that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Anyone who is not immune is at risk.
Symptoms typically appear 7–14 days after exposure and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, white spots in the mouth and a rash that begins on the face and spreads downward. The rash usually starts 3-5 days after other symptoms appear.
A person who is sick with measles can spread the virus from 4 days before the rash appears to 4 days after the rash appears. The Salt Lake County Health Department will provide guidance on when you can return to campus.
- Immunity: Two MMR doses or a serologic test of immunity. Individuals born before 1957 are assumed to have immunity.
(CDC: Evidence of Immunity) - Exposure: Being in a location where the measles virus may be present.
- Quarantine: Required separation after exposure if not immune.
- Isolation: Required separation when sick or diagnosed.
If you are vaccinated:
- Monitor for symptoms for 21 days.
- No quarantine required.
- Stay home if any symptoms develop.
If you are not vaccinated:
- You should quarantine and are excluded from campus activities for up to 21 days.
- Do not attend classes, work sites or campus activities.
- Remain at home and avoid public contact.
If you develop symptoms:
- Stay home immediately. (See the Housing section below if you live on campus.)
- Monitor the severity of your symptoms and seek medical care as appropriate.
- Do not visit health care facilities without calling first.
- If you need medical care, use virtual care options when possible.
- See contact information below for details.
If you are diagnosed with measles:
- Isolate immediately.
- Remain isolated until at least 4 days after rash onset.
- Follow all public health guidance. You may be contacted by the Salt Lake County Health Department (385-468-4194) to get more information about your case.
If you live in University Housing or Sunnyside Apartments:
- Notify the Peterson Heritage Center front desk immediately at 801-587-2000.
If you have been to class or need to miss class:
- Notify your instructors.
- Contact the Dean of Students at 801-581-7066 for support.
- Do not attend class during isolation or quarantine.
For university employees:
- Notify your supervisor.
- Coordinate with your department or your department’s Human Resource liaison for support.
- Do not report to work or be present on campus during isolation or quarantine.
- Students may contact you because they have been exposed, instruct them to follow the steps detailed in the FAQ above. You should not advise them whether they should come to class or isolate themselves.
- Additionally, work with the student(s) to provide alternate or parallel access to your course(s). Consider livestreaming, zooming, or recording lectures, alternate assignments, extended deadlines, remote office hours, and make-up plans for quizzes, exams, labs, and participation-based work.
- Do not disclose student health details to the class.
- If you believe a confirmed or suspected case has attended class immediately contact Mark Pfitzner, Student Health Center Director - Mark.Pfitzner@studenthealth.utah.edu
- If you have been exposed and are unvaccinated or vaccinated but showing symptoms, rather than canceling your class(es) work with your department to shift class(es) online, arrange for substitute instruction, postpone in-person activities and communicate all changes to students.
Additional contacts:
- For students, contact:
- Student Health Center at 801-581-6431
- Monday-Friday | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- For employees, contact:
- RedMed Employee Health Clinic at 801-213-3303
- Monday-Thursday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- For medical care, contact:
- U Health Care Navigation at 801-587-0712
- Monday-Friday | 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Saturday | 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sunday | 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Dean of Students: 801-581-7066
- Monday-Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Center for Disability and Access: 801-581-5020
- Monday-Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.