Measles Confirmed at Clemson University Amidst Upstate Outbreak

Just days after Clemson University Student Health urged awareness to ensure measles preparedness due to the large outbreak in the Upstate region, school officials reported on a confirmed case of measles of an individual affiliated with the University. Clemson officials say the individual has isolated per South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) requirements, and DPH is conducting contact tracing with individuals who may have been exposed and outlining isolation and quarantine protocols. A person infected with measles is contagious four days before and after a rash begins. Isolation of an actively infectious case lasts until four full days have passed after the onset of the rash, and dates of isolation are determined by DPH. Quarantine for measles is reserved for exposed individuals without documented immunity and lasts for 21 days after last exposure per DPH guidelines. If a person without documented immunity receives a dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours after last exposure, they do not have to quarantine. According to the most recent data from Student Health Services, nearly 98% of main campus Clemson students have provided proof of immunity.