No new measles cases reported

Student Health yesterday did not diagnose any more measles cases, Student Health director MarJeanne Collins said yesterday afternoon. However, Student Health expects to see more measles cases through the end of the semester, Collins said. Collins said measles cases come in "waves" because people who receive the virus do not show the rash until up to 12 days later. Seven students -- six undergraduates and a graduate student -- have been diagnosed with measles in varying degrees of severity, Collins said. The first four students diagnosed with measles are members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the University wrestling team. The other three diagnosed cases were students not related to ATO or the wrestling team, Collins said, adding they have contracted milder forms of the virus than the ATO wrestlers did. The outbreak is stable, Collins said, but requires constant monitoring. At this point, the University plans to hold all athletic contests without attendance restrictions, she and Sports Information Director Steve Hurlbut said. Philadelphia Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Ross last night praised Student Health's expanded immunization program. Ross suggested restricting entrance to athletic contests to people over 35, although he was unaware of the athletic departments' restrictions and cancelations of last weekend's games. Ross said Monday Philadelphia's outbreak may last another year. Everyone under 35 -- students, faculty and staff -- should call their childhood physicians to verify their immunization records, Collins said. University policy requires students to have two measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations before spending two semesters on campus, although faculty and staff have no measles immunization policy. Student Health will be mailing out forms within the next two weeks asking for physician verification of students' immunization records, Collins said.

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