Health Officials Warn of Potential Measles Exposure at Milbank Elementary

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) has issued a formal notification to parents and guardians regarding a potential measles exposure at Milbank Elementary School.

According to the health department, a student with a confirmed case of measles was present at the school while infectious on January 15, 2026. Measles is a highly contagious, airborne virus that can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.

Required Actions for Families

Health officials are urging parents to determine their child’s protection status immediately. The following guidelines have been issued:

·        Vaccination Status: Children typically receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine in two doses: the first at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years of age.

·        Mandatory Exclusion: Any unvaccinated student who has not previously had measles will be excluded from school and all school-related activities.

·        Quarantine Period: These individuals must remain at home and avoid public gatherings—including childcare, worship services, and work—for 21 days after their last known exposure.

·        Monitoring: Regardless of vaccination status, all parents are advised to monitor their children for symptoms for 21 days following the exposure.

Symptoms to Watch For

Measles symptoms typically develop in two distinct stages:

1.    Early Stage: Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes sensitive to light, and a mild fever that gradually increases.

2.    Later Stage: Occurring 3–7 days after the initial symptoms, this stage features a high fever (103–105°F) and a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

The SD-DOH emphasizes that measles can lead to serious health complications, particularly for infants, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

What to Do if Symptoms Appear

If a child develops symptoms consistent with measles, parents are instructed to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Health officials stress the importance of calling ahead before visiting any healthcare facility so staff can take precautions and prevent further spread of the virus to other patients.

For further questions, residents can contact the South Dakota Department of Health at 605-773-3737.