CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 84 EAST "J" STREET • CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA 91910 • 619 425-9600 EACH CHILD IS AN INDIVIDUAL OF GREAT WORTH

February 4, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians: As many of you have heard , several California counties are experiencing outbreaks of measles. On February 2, the California Department of Public Health reported that there were 92 confirmed cases of measles across the state. Fifty-nine of those have been linked to Disneyland parks. So far in 2015 there are 13 confirmed measles cases in San Diego County. These cases were also associated with the Disneyland outbreak last month . Only one of the local cases was vaccinated for measles. So far, we have had no confirmed cases of measles in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD), however, I wanted to send a message to encourage all parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles and to let our community know what we are doing to keep our students, employees, and other community members safe. First, a few facts . Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. Early symptoms include a worsening fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that lasts for about a week. Most people who develop the measles recover in a week or so but some people can develop diarrhea, middle ear infection , pneumonia , or brain damage from encephalitis. Measles is especially serious for infants, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Measles spreads through the air and on surfaces when infected people cough, sneeze, or share their food or drinks. An infected person is contagious for four days before and after the rash appears. CVESD is currently gathering information on the number of students who are not vaccinated and the schools they attend, so that we can act quickly to protect our students and staff in the case of an outbreak. If your child has not received at least one dose of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and is exposed to measles, he/she may be excluded from attending school or child care to prevent further spread of the disease. Information about exclusion of unimmunized students is available on the California Personal Beliefs Exemption form as well as in the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 6060. Remember, vaccination is the best protection against this serious disease. If you need help getting vaccinations for yourself or your children, please feel free to co ntact your School Nurse. Our goal is to help you find a clinic that can provide this protection to your family and our community. Sincerely,

~~~~~~ Superintendent

BOARD OF EDUCATION MARISSA A . BEJARANO + LESLIE RAY BUNKER + EDUARDO REYES, Eo.D. + FRANCISCO TAMAYO + GLENDORA M. TREMPER SUPERINTENDENT FRANCISCO ESCOBEDO, Eo.D.

CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 84 EAST "J" STREET • CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA 91910 • 619 425-9600 EACH CHILD IS AN INDIVIDUAL OF GREAT WORTH

4 de febrero de 2015 Estimado padres de familia o tutores legales: Como muchos de ustedes se habran enterado, en varies condados de California se han presentado brotes de sarampion . El 2 de febrero , el Departamento de Salud Publica de California informo que habia 92 casos de sarampion confirmados en el estado. De ellos, cincuenta y nueve han sido vinculados con los parques de Disneylandia. Hasta Ia fecha en 2015, hay 13 casos de sarampion confirmados en el Condado de San Diego. Estos casos tambiem fueron asociadas con el brote de Disneylandia el mes pasado. En solo uno de los casos locales, Ia persona tenia Ia vacuna contra el sarampion. Hasta ahora, no hemos tenido casos de sarampion confirmados en el Distrito Escolar Primario de Chula Vista (CVESD); sin embargo, quise enviar un mensaje para recomendar a todos los padres de familia y tutores que se aseguren de que sus nirios esten vacunados contra el sarampion y para hacer saber a nuestra comunidad lo que estamos hacienda en favor de Ia seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, empleados y otras personas de Ia comunidad . Tome en cuenta Ia siguiente informacion: El sarampion es una enfermedad muy contagiosa y Ia causa un virus. Los sintomas iniciales incluyen una fiebre que empeora, tos , catarro y ojos llorosos, seguido por una erupcion que dura aproximadamente una semana. La mayoria de las personas que enferman de sarampion se recuperan mas o menos en una semana, pero a algunas les puede dar diarrea, infeccion del oido, pulmonia, o dario cerebral causado por encefalitis. El sarampion es especialmente grave para los bebes, las mujeres embarazadas y las personas con sistemas inmunitarios debiles. El sarampion se propaga por el aire y por superficies cuando las personas infectadas tosen, estornudan o comparten su comida o sus bebidas. Una persona infectada es contagiosa por cuatro dias antes y despues de que aparece Ia erupcion. El Distrito esta recabando informacion sobre Ia cantidad de estudiantes que no estan vacunados y a cuales escuelas van para que podamos actuar rapidamente y proteger a nuestros estudiantes y al personal en caso de que haya un brote. Si su nino no ha recibido por lo menos una dosis de Ia vacuna contra el sarampion, las paperas y Ia rubeola (MMR, por sus siglas en ingles) , podria excluirsele de asistir aclases o a Ia guarderia para prevenir que se propague mas Ia enfermedad. La informacion sobre Ia exclusion de los estudiantes no vacunados esta disponible en el formulario de Exencion por Creencias Personales de California; asi como en el Titulo 17, Seccion 6060 del Codigo de Regulaciones de California. Recuerde que Ia vacunacion es Ia mejor proteccion contra esta grave enfermedad. Si usted necesita ayuda para obtener vacunas para usted o para sus nirios, por favor no dude en comunicarse con Ia Enfermera Escolar de su plantel. Nuestro objetivo es ayudarle a encontrar una clinica que le pueda brindar esta proteccion a su familia y a nuestra comunidad . ~mente ,

~~.;pz~ Dr. FraA'cisco E?Scobedo Superintendente

BOARD OF EDUCATION MARISSA A. BEJARANO • LESLIE RAY BUNKER • EDUARDO REYES, Eo. D. • FRANCISCO TAMAYO • GLENDORA M. TREMPER SUPERINTENDENT FRAN CI SCO ESCOBEDO, Eo. D.

Public Health

M E A S L E S WHAT IS MEASLES? Measles is a virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It spreads when the infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is highly contagious. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been or up to 2 hours after that person is gone.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Symptoms generally appear about 7- 14 days after a person is infected and typically begin with:     



High fever Cough Runny nose Red & Watery Eyes Tiny white spots inside the mouth A rash of flat red spots on the face which later spreads down the body

PREVENTION 

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shot.



Almost everyone who has not had the MMR shot will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus.

13.8 million deaths averted from 2000-2012 due to the measles vaccine WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…

FAST FACT In the United States, widespread use of the measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the

Getting the measles vaccine is critical to saving lives.

pre-vaccine era.

Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children.

78%

If you have not been vaccinated, or are unsure about your immunity status, contact your health care provider.

fewer child deaths because of the measles vaccine

To learn more about the MMR shot, talk to your doctor, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or visit www.cdc.gov/

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO)