Measles Home Quarantine Information Sheet

What is quarantine?
To control the spread of infectious diseases, public health authorities rely on many
strategies. One of these strategies is known as quarantine. Quarantine refers to the
restriction of movement of persons who were exposed to a communicable disease, but
are not yet ill. The period of quarantine is the period of time when an exposed person
could become ill and infect other people. Persons with measles can spread disease
before they know they are ill. Therefore, quarantine can be effective at preventing the
spread of measles.
We know that quarantine may be difficult for your family. We will be happy to discuss
special situations with you. For example, it may be possible for a quarantined child to
receive care in another home if all people in that home are immune to measles.
What is an exposure to measles?
Sharing the same airspace with a person who is infectious with measles (4 days prior to
and 4 days after the rash begins), e.g., in the same classroom, home, clinic waiting
room, airplane, etc.)
Measles is an extremely infectious disease that can be spread through the air and infect
other people at some distance from the infected person. Measles virus can also remain
in the air for up to 75 minutes after the infected person has left the area.
Approximately 90% of nonimmune people who are exposed to measles will develop
disease.
What does measles quarantine mean?
The quarantined person must remain in his/her own home or yard and should not have
interaction with people outside the home from days 7-21 after measles exposure (the
day of exposure is considered day 0). This means the quarantined person must not visit
any public locations, unless it is necessary to obtain medical care, during this time
period.
In addition, non-household members coming into the home must be strictly limited to
those people who are immune to measles. People are considered immune to measles if
they have had two documented doses of measles vaccine, or can prove by a blood test
that they are immune to measles.
If medical care is needed for the quarantined person, the healthcare provider must be
notified before the visit so that measures can be taken to prevent measles spread.
Quarantined people must not use public transportation and preferably should travel in
private automobiles.

What will happen during the quarantine period?

During the quarantine period, a public health nurse from Nevada County Public Health
may call to check on the quarantined person to see how he/she is doing and if any
measles symptoms have developed.
Each time you are called, you will be asked if the quarantined person has any of the
following symptoms:
Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red eyes
Rash
It would be helpful if someone could take the temperature of the quarantined person at
least once a day at the same time of day. If you need instructions on how to take a
temperature or need a thermometer please let the public health nurse know this when
you are called.
What are Measles Symptoms?
Measles typically begins with a fever and other symptoms such as a cough, runny nose,
red eyes and a sore throat. Two or three days later, the fever usually spikes, often as
high as 104 or 105 F. At the same time, a rash of large flat red blotches that often
flow into one another appears, usually first on the face, along the hairline and behind
the ears. This rash spreads downward to the trunk, arms, and legs.
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
If measles symptoms develop, please notify your primary care provider by phone. If you
do not have a primary care provider, please contact the Nevada County Public Health
Department by phone at 530-470-2502. The ill person must continue to isolate
themselves at home for 4 days after the day the rash started. After that time they are
no longer infectious and may return to normal activities if feeling well enough.

We thank you for your cooperation with this important public health measure
to control measles.