Student Health diagnoses fifth campus measles case

A fifth case of measles has been diagnosed on campus in a student who was thought to be immunized, Student Health Director MarJeanne Collins said last night, prompting concerns that some students who thought they were properly innoculated are not. Unlike the first four students diagnosed, this student, whose symptoms were diagnosed yesterday afternoon, is not a member of either Alpha Tau Omega fraternity or the wrestling team, Collins said. All five of the students have been, or are still in quarantine. Other members of the wrestling team and ATO were quarantined early this week and were innoculated. Collins said last week that even one case of measles on campus is considered an epidemic. The student told Student Health that he had been immunized, but upon checking the student's records, officials discovered the student had received only one dose of immunization, Collins said. The University changed its immunization policy in 1989 to require students to prove they had been immunized twice in their life by the time they have spent two semesters on campus. This change was prompted by recommendations by the Center for Disease Control. Collins said earlier this week that some juniors and seniors may not be fully innoculated because they enrolled before the new regulations took effect. Students immunized before their first birthday may also not be protected because the immunization would not be effective that early in life, Collins added. Collins said many students were not careful in telling Student Health about their immunization record. She said many put down information from memory, rather than calling their doctor, so exact dates are not in Student Health records. Additionally, students only submit their latest immunization date for Student Health records, leaving Student Health without dates of students' first dosage. Collins said Student Health will soon be sending out forms asking students to update their immunization records to include all immunization dates and to check the dates with their physician. Collins also urged all students who need second innoculations to come to Student Health, where they will be provided at cost.

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