Scenario 1
A camp is contacted by a parent/guardian or staff member indicating that the individual might have measles (any time).
Camp leaders and operators should advise the staff member, parent or guardian to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Before attending a healthcare setting for medical care or testing (i.e., clinic, hospital, medical lab), instruct the staff member or parents to call the health care facility and notify them that they have symptoms of measles so that they can prepare for their arrival and prevent virus spread.
Camp administrators are to report any cases of measles to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) immediately when you become aware of any camper or staff member who might have measles by submitting a reporting form and fax to 226-783-2132 during business hours and after hours, weekends, and holidays by fax to 226-783-2113. The WECHU will provide any further follow-up/direction required.
Scenario 2
A camper or staff member in attendance is presenting with signs/symptoms of measles (any time).
Due to the presence of symptoms, if you suspect a camper or staff member may have measles, immediately inform the camp nurse or designated health lead. Promptly separate the individual from others and place them in a closed room for isolation until the family picks up the individual. A supervising adult, who is fully immune against measles and wears a face mask, should remain with a child. Ideally, the isolation room should have direct outdoor access to minimize further exposure during pickup. Weather permitting, the individual may stay in a designated outdoor area away from the group. Children must always be supervised and never left alone.
Please contact the parent or guardian immediately and supervise the child until the parent arrives. Provide a surgical mask to the affected individual if able to wear. Ensure surgical masks are available in a variety of sizes, including children’s sizes as well. Any rooms entered should not be used for 2 hours after the affected individual has left since measles can remain in the airspace for up to 2 hours. Before attending a healthcare setting for medical care or testing (i.e., clinic, hospital, medical lab), instruct the parents to call the facility and notify them that they have symptoms of measles so that they can prepare for their arrival and prevent virus spread.
Report any suspected or confirmed cases of measles to the WECHU immediately when you become aware of any camper or staff member who might have measles by submitting a reporting form and fax to 226-783-2132 during business hours and after hours, weekends, and holidays by fax to 226-783-2113.
Scenario 3
WECHU receives a confirmed case of measles at the camp.
The WECHU will contact the camp administration to inform them a case has been confirmed.
The WECHU will send a ‘Camp Staff Notification of Measles Exposure’, a ‘Camper Notification of Measles Exposure’ and a ‘Measles Fact Sheet’ (attached) to the camp administrator to be distributed to all camper’s parents, camp staff, and visitors electronically as soon as possible. It must be distributed electronically to enable individuals to use the link to upload their proof of immunity documents. These notifications will provide general information about the exposure, actions individuals and parents can take, and advise individuals to self-identify their need to exclude themselves from attending camp based on their immunity status.
Camp administrators will be required to collect, organize and provide information about all individuals (e.g., campers, staff, visitors, camp bus drivers, etc.) in all areas of exposure (room, gym, pool, changeroom, bus, etc.) based on exposure date (s) and time (s) provided by the WECHU.
Keeping in mind measles is airborne and any shared air spaces, for up to 2 hours after an infected individual has been there, is considered an area of exposure. This is likely the entire camp facility.
The WECHU will provide directions to staff and campers’ parents directly about their proof of immunity requirements. Due to privacy laws, the WECHU cannot provide personal health information regarding staff or campers to the camp administrators.
The WECHU will send nurses to the camp following the notification of exposure; to help with clearance of campers and staff who bring their proof of immunity to camp or exclusions for those who can’t provide the documentation.
Pertaining to Staff:
Camp administrators will be required to send the complete list of staff with contact information (name, address, phone #, email, date of birth) to the WECHU immediately. Staff will be required to provide proof of immunity before being cleared to return to work.
Proof of Immunity - Accepted Documentation
- Vaccination Records - Two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine (e.g., MMR) administered on or after the first birthday, and at least four weeks apart.
- Evidence of Past Measles Infection - A written statement from a health care provider verifying a past measles infection.
- Laboratory Evidence – Blood (serological) test results indicating immunity to measles.
- A government issued ID with date of birth prior to 1970.
If staff have their proof of immunity immediately available, they will be directed to bring it to work the next workday where the WECHU nurses will clear them for work at that time. Camp administrators should make efforts to facilitate communication between the WECHU team and staff throughout the day wherever possible to facilitate the process.
If staff do not have proof of immunity immediately available, they will be asked to self-exclude from work until they have the documentation or until a nurse from the WECHU speaks with them to provide further guidance.
Staff may submit their documentation at the camp to the WECHU nurse if they are not required to self-exclude, or they can upload their document to our secure web platform using the link Measles Immunity Status Submission V2 . Alternatively, they can drop it off at either of the WECHU locations:
33 Princess St. in Leamington or 1005 Ouellette Ave. in Windsor.
Staff are asked not to use the ICON platform to upload proof of immunity.
The WECHU nurse will review the submitted documents, follow up with staff as needed, and provide either a letter requiring the staff to be excluded from work or notification that they are cleared to remain or return to work.
*Please note staff without proof of immunity to measles will be required to be absent from schools, licensed childcare settings, camps, post-secondary education institutions, workplaces, travel and other group settings (including places of worship, sporting events and healthcare settings) at the direction of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit for 21 days from the last day of exposure.
Pertaining to Campers:
Camp administrators will be required to send the complete list of campers with contact information (name, address, phone #, email, date of birth) to the WECHU immediately.
The WECHU will create an initial exclusion list for all enrolled campers that are at-risk, based on their immunization status (we do this from the immunization database Panorama). The WECHU nurses will individually reach out to all campers that do not have documentation of proof of immunity to provide them with a Camp Exclusion Letter.
Campers will be required to provide proof of immunity in order to return to camp before the 21-day exclusion period is up.
Proof of Immunity - Accepted Documentation
- Vaccination Records - Two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine (e.g., MMR) administered on or after the first birthday, and at least four weeks (one month) apart.
- Evidence of Past Measles Infection - A written statement from a health care provider verifying a past measles infection.
- Laboratory Evidence – Blood (serological) test results indicating immunity to measles.
Campers will be advised to present their documentation at camp on the next day to the WECHU nurse if they are not required to self-exclude, or they can upload their document it to our secure web platform using the link Measles Immunity Status Submission. Alternatively, they can drop it off at either of the WECHU locations: 33 Princess St. in Leamington or 1005 Ouellette Ave. in Windsor.
The WECHU nurse will review the submitted documents, follow up with camper’s parents as needed, and provide either a letter requiring the camper to be excluded from camp or notification that they are cleared to remain or return to camp.
Campers and staff that cannot provide documentation of immunity to measles will be excluded from attendance at the camp for 21 days from the last date of exposure to measles. Individuals who have a medical or philosophical/religious exemption on file with the WECHU will also require exclusion as a measles exposure has occurred and those that are not immune are at risk of contracting measles and spreading the disease.
**The WECHU asks that camp administrators direct any proof of immunity or clearance questions their camper’s parents or staff may have, to the WECHU nurses for consistency of information.
It is advised to immediately and thoroughly clean the affected areas following a measles exposure.
Measles transmission:
- Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes
- The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the area
- The virus can also survive on surfaces for up to two hours
Clean all surfaces:
Using an approved low-level disinfectant that is effective against the measles virus, clean all surfaces, with special attention to high-touch areas:
- Desks
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Shared equipment
Other measures:
- Promote air circulation
- Ensure frequent cleaning of high-touch areas throughout the school day