Due to recent measles activity in Illinois, CUSD #205 is asking families to make sure their students are up to date on vaccinations. Students should have two doses of the MMR vaccine for full protection against the virus. If a student has had one dose and it has been 90 days since that 1st dose, a second dose can be administered.
Measles is a very contagious virus with initial symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Two to three days later, the fever spikes and at the same time a red blotchy rash appears, usually first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears.
The rash spreads rapidly down the chest and back, down to the thighs and feet. The virus can cause serious complications for those not vaccinated.
In the event a student or staff member is present at school with measles, unvaccinated students/staff, may be excluded from school for up to 21 days depending on exposure.
We recommend you contact your healthcare provider or local health department for immunizations as soon as possible.
For more information please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health by clicking here or by contacting the Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224.