Measles Information for Summer Camps
Dear Camper Families,
As many of you many know, the United States is experiencing a measles outbreak. As of May 2025, over 1000 cases of measles have been confirmed in 31 states, including Kansas. Because summer camps bring children together from different areas to eat, sleep, and play in close quarters, they can make it easy for illnesses like measles to spread.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around them will also become infected if they are not vaccinated. Currently, there is no treatment for measles and it can lead to very serious complications, some of which may not present until years after the infection resolves.
Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, camp is implementing the following guidelines:
- It highly recommending that all campers receive the 2 dose MMR vaccine series prior to coming to camp. (Most children would have completed this prior to going to kindergarten.)
- If your camper has any measles symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat and rash) prior to attending camp and has not been vaccinated against measles, they will need to stay home from camp.
- If an unvaccinated camper develops any of these symptoms while at camp, they will be sent home immediately.
- If an unvaccinated camper is exposed to anyone with measles, they will need to quarantine for 21 days and will not be permitted to come to camp during that quarantine period.
- Potential measles symptoms in vaccinated campers will be evaluated to determine if they are likely to be infectious and will not necessarily result in sending the vaccinated camper home.
The best protection against measles is to get immunized with the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is almost completely effective (97%) in protecting exposed individuals from measles infection. If you have further questions about vaccines or measles, please contact your healthcare provider or local health department.
Looking forward to seeing you soon at camp! And don’t forget your sunscreen and water bottle!
Jill Litwiller, APRN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner on behalf of the Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors
