Attendee of Catonsville High School's Commencement Diagnosed with Contagious Measles

An attendee of's commencement held last Wednesday at has been diagnosed with measles, according to a letter today from the principal of the high school.

According to Principal Deborah Bittner, the person was diagnosed after the event and the state and county health departments have been notified. Those who came in direct contact with the infected person have been notified, but because the virus is highly contagious, the entire community was notified.

Children are vaccinated for measles typically before they enter kindergarten, but people who were present for the graduation ceremony should be on the alert for symptoms of measles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the first 19 weeks of 2011, 118 cases of measles were reported, the highest number reported for this period since 1996. People who were not vaccinated accounted for 105, or 89 percent, of the 118 cases.

These symptoms could begin as early as today and as late as Wednesday, June 22.  Signs to watch for include:

• Rash that starts on the face and neck and then spreads;
• High fever;
• Runny nose;
• Red, watery eyes;
• Cough (sometimes like the croup);
• Small red spots with blue and white centers inside the mouth.

According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the virus is easily transmitted and can be found in the air after an individual infected with measles coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be spread by direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.

Measles can remain contagious on surfaces for up to two hours, however a person can spread measles from four days before to four days after the rash develops. Anyone with measles should not visit childcare, school, work or other public places until they are no longer contagious.