Health Advisories

Measles advisory (4/3/2025)

As of March 27, 2025, a total of 483 confirmed* measles cases were reported by 20 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications.
Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection.
Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

Measles isn't just a little rash. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

7–14 days after a measles infection: first symptoms show

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Measles typically begins with:

High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
Cough
Runny nose (coryza)
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

2–3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots

Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.

3–5 days after symptoms begin: measles rash

Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears, a person's fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit.

H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor for H5 bird flu activity in people.

Protective actions for people

Protective actions around wild birds: Avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Learn more about Bird Flu
What to do if you find a dead bird: Avoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died and call to report sick or dead birds. Learn more about preventing bird flu.
Protective actions around other animals with H5N1 bird flu: Avoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them. Learn more about the H5N1 virus.
Protective actions if you work with potentially infected dairy cattle: Avoid unprotected direct physical contact or close exposure with cattle and materials potentially infected or confirmed to be infected with HPAI A(H5) virus. Learn more about bird flu in dairy cows.
Consuming milk: People should not eat or drink raw milk or products made with raw milk. Choosing pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Learn more about potential sources of bird flu exposure.
Preparing food: It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. There are recommendations around products from other animals with H5 virus infections, including cattle and milk.
Traveling to other countries: CDC does not currently recommend any travel restrictions related to bird flu to countries affected by bird flu in birds, other animals or people.
Get a seasonal flu vaccine: Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses, but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection.

West Nile Virus (07/26/2024)

The risk of human infection with West Nile Virus (WNV) is increasing in the Greater Boston area (Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties), and in parts of Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester counties. There are no additional risk level changes indicated at this time. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

Avoid mosquito bites

Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-proof your home

Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.

Protect your animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

Cold and flu

The common cold is a viral illness of your upper respiratory tract - your nose and throat. Any viral illness are normally harmless, but don't always feel that way. Viral illness can last anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and ibuprofen can help symptoms, but antibiotics will not help resolve it.

Self-care at home is your first defense

Rest and stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of fluids: water, juices, non-caffeinated tea.
Increase humidification by taking a warm shower or using a humidifier or vaporizer.
Gargle wit warm salt water, 1/2 tsp of salt in 4 ox of warm water, several times a day.
Hard candies, throat lozenges, ice chips, Jell-O, and popsicles may be soothing for a sore throat.
Come get a self-care baggie at Student Health Services that has everything you need to combat cold/flu symptoms.

Over-the-counter medications you should consider taking

Caution: always follow package instructions.

Ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol): fever, discomfort, inflammation
Pseudoephedrine or Phenylephrine (Sudafed or Neo-synephrine: congestion
Guaifenesin (Mucinex or Robitussin): cough, congestion
Dextromethorophan (Robitussin DM or Delsym): cough
Oxymetazoline (Afrin) or Fluticasone (Flonase): ear fullness or pressure

The stomach flu

The symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which is often called “the stomach flu” or gastroenteritis, are often caused by a virus in the intestines. The “stomach flu” is usually caused by coming in contact with a sick person or ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms can vary and tend to appear 1-3days after you are infected. Most symptoms resolve within 48-72 hours. There is no “cure,” so managing symptoms while your body heals is best.

Signs & symptoms

Loose & water stool
Nausea, vomiting or both
Abdominal cramping
Generalized body aches
Headache

When to seek medical care

Unable to keep clear liquids down for more than 24 hours
Vomiting for more than 2 days
Vomiting blood or have bloody diarrhea
Fever of more than 101F
Signs of dehydration: excessive thirst, dizziness, sever weakness, dark yellow or little to now urine

Self-care at home is your first defense

Don't try to eat or drink anything while you are vomiting frequently.
When your stomach beings to settle, try sips of clear liquids only, limiting to 8oz per hour, initially. If you are doing well with sips, try to start drinking larger amounts slowly.
- Examples of clear liquids are: ice, water, soft drinks, tea, Kool-Aid, ice popsicles, sports drinks, and Jell-O.
When you are tolerating fluids well and have not had any vomiting for at least 8 hours, you can try the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. You can also try plain bagels, saltine crackers and baked potatoes. No cream soups, meats, vegetables or salads.
When you are doing well on the BRAT diet for at least 24 hours, gradually begin eating a regular diet. Avoid any dairy products, spicy and fried foods, as well as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine for another day or so.
Come get a self-care baggie at SHS that has things to help combat symptoms of the stomach flu.

Over-the-counter medications you should consider taking

Caution: always follow package instructions.

Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy (meclizine 25 mg.) every 6-8 hours as needed for nausea.
Pepto-Bismol or Immodium AD may be effective for diarrhea.
Tylenol is a good choice for fever or aches because it is gentle on the stomach.

COVID-19

As a reminder, the best preventative steps for any communicable disease include simple but important measures to practice as part of your daily routine, but especially during flu season and COVID:

Stay up-to-date on all your covid and flu vaccines.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

CDC Isolation Guide

Isolation Protocols

Vaping crisis (09/26/2019)

You might have seen in the news that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has declared a public health crisis and has banned the sale of all vaping paraphernalia for at least 4 months. This is due to a nationwide outbreak of severe respiratory illnesses and sudden deaths associated with the use of e-cigarette/vaping products (devices, liquids, refill pods and/or cartridges). While some of the patients reported recent use of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabinoid (CBD) containing products, some reported using nicotine products.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently investigating the outbreak in order to determine what is causing the illnesses. Until we know more, CDC recommends that you refrain from using e-cigarettes or vaping products. Anyone who uses an e-cigarette or vaping product should not buy these products off the street and should not modify or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.

If you use e-cigarette or vaping products, monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health.

Many people who vape have become addicted to nicotine and will need help in quitting. Often people are able to quit through the use of nicotine replacement products such as gum and patches. Massachusetts has initiated a statewide standing order for these products which will allow people to obtain these products as a covered benefit through their insurance without requiring an individual prescription. This means you can go to any pharmacy in Massachusetts and get nicotine replacement products without obtaining a prescription from your health care provider. In addition to nicotine replacement, other medications are available to help a person quit smoking or vaping. Students can make an appointment at Student Health Services for quit smoking/vaping counseling, as well as prescriptions for other medications.

As a reminder, smoking and vaping are prohibited on UMass Dartmouth grounds.