Communicable Disease Policy
General
All spectrUM staff, volunteers, and program participants are encouraged to use good respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands afterwards. Children who have tested positive for any communicable disease, such as COVID-19 or Measles, or who have had symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath, will not be permitted to participate in spectrUM programs, such as camps.
Illness
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when a child becomes ill but does not require immediate medical help, a determination must be made about whether the child should be sent home. Most illnesses do not require exclusion. A spectrUM staff member will determine whether the child’s illness meets the following criteria to be sent home early from spectrUM programs, such as camps:
- Prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities.
- Results in a need for care that is greater than staff members can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
- Poses a risk of spreading harmful disease to others.
Children who are feeling unwell, who have tested positive for any communicable diseases, such as COVID-19 or Measles, and/or have had symptoms of dangerous communicable diseases, such as fever, rash, cough, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath, will be isolated from camp under the supervision of spectrUM staff until caregivers can pick them up. The camper’s caregiver will be notified immediately and will be asked to take the child home as soon as possible.
All spectrUM staff and volunteers who are feeling unwell, who have tested positive for any communicable disease, such as COVID-19 or Measles, and/or have had symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath, will notify their supervisor and will not work until their healthcare provider has stated it is safe to do so. Employees who are living with or who have interacted with someone who has tested positive for any communicable diseases, such as COVID-19 or Measles, or who have had symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath, will work with their supervisor to develop a work from home plan.
If an employee or participant tests positive for Measles the Missoula City-County Health Department will conduct contact tracing and notify staff and participants for Measles cases.
Sanitary Workspace
All employees must wash their hands and thoroughly disinfect their designated workspace throughout their shift. Workspace is included but not limited to: every surface that an adult or child could have made contact with such as exhibits, tables, walls, computers, stools, and door handles. Workspace also includes loose objects such as any items used for an activity or exhibit, pens, trays, scissors, containers, etc.
Hand Washing
- Children and staff will wash hands/use hand sanitizer throughout the day, and after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and between scheduled activities.
Shared Equipment and Camp Supplies
- Supplies will be disinfected between uses.
- If a supply is put in a child’s mouth, coughed or sneezed on, it will be removed immediately to be disinfected.
About Measles
According to the , the signs and symptoms of measles includes:
- running nose
- cough
- red and watery eyes
- small white spots inside the cheeks.
A rash begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading.
Most deaths from measles are from complications related to the disease.
Complications can include:
- blindness
- encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
- severe diarrhea and related dehydration
- ear infections
- severe breathing problems including pneumonia.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death. Measles vaccination averted more than 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023. Even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, in 2023, there were an estimated 107 500 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years.