Please take a minute to review this letter from our school nurse, Madeline Jensen.
April 15, 2026
Hello there,
Let’s talk about measles.
First off - there are no active measles cases in Columbia County at this time. I simply wanted to
reach out and touch on the topic of measles as we are seeing an increase in measles cases in
Washington State. In terms of neighboring counties, there is one active case in Walla Walla and one
active case in Spokane County.
Per the Washington Department of Health, as of today there are currently 36 active measles cases
statewide. Of the 36 cases:
● 31 out of 36 cases (≈86%) are in unvaccinated people
● 4 cases (≈11%) have unknown status
● 1 case (≈3%) is in a fully vaccinated person
Some quick facts about the measles:
● Measles are highly contagious and spread through droplets in the air. (i.e. coughing, sneezing,
breathing, talking)
● It can take 7-21 days for symptoms to appear, typically starting with a high fever, cough, runny
nose and red, watery eyes. Tiny white spots (officially termed Koplik’s spots) may appear in the
mouth. After 3-5 days, a red rash will develop, usually starting on the face/hairline and spreads
to the rest of the body.
● The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is one of the immunizations required for children
to attend public schools in Washington State. If you have not been contacted regarding your child’s
vaccination status or an exemption form, it means that our records indicate your child is either up
to date on the MMR vaccine or has a completed exemption form on file.
● If a measles case is identified in our school system, for their safety, students who are exposed
and not up to date on the MMR vaccine will be required to stay at home for 21 days, even if they
get the MMR vaccine post-exposure.
I respect the autonomy and thoughtful decision-making that goes into each student’s care. My goal
is to help keep all students, staff, and our community safe and healthy.
If you have any questions about your child’s vaccination status, measles, or any other health
concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In the meantime, let’s continue reinforcing everyday prevention habits: stay home when sick, cover
your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands frequently.
Sincerely,
Madeline Jensen, RN, BSN Dayton School District Nurse nurse@daytonsd.org
509-382-2507 ext. 2052