Measles outbreak: cases rise to 62

Posted

Clark County Public Health had several new confirmed cases of measles over the weekend bringing the total to 62 with one suspected case as of the latest update.

The agency’s Tuesday update maintained the same total from Monday. Additional exposure times and sites over the course of the weekend included one in Battle Ground — 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Fred Meyer (401 NW 12th Ave., Battle Ground).

Other new times and locations for possible exposure announced over the weekend are as follows:

• Image Elementary School, 4400 NE 122nd Ave., Vancouver

Monday, Feb. 11

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Wednesday, Feb. 13

Thursday, Feb. 14

Friday, Feb. 15.

• Pacific Middle School, 2017 NE 172nd Ave., Vancouver

Monday, Feb. 11

Tuesday, Feb. 12 until 4:30 p.m. including after-school activities

Wednesday, Feb. 13.

• The Vancouver Clinic Salmon Creek, 2525 NE 139th St., Vancouver

7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14



10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15.

• PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Emergency Department, 400 NE Mother Joseph Place, Vancouver

7:45 to 11:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.

 Harris’ bill passes committee

Last week Washington State Rep. Paul Harris’ bill to remove a personal exemption for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine passed the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.

The committee, of which Harris, R-Vancouver is a member, passed the bill onto the house floor 10-5. District 20 Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, who represents Woodland and parts of North County, was one of the “nay” votes.

As of Tuesday, the bill had been referred to the House Rules Committee for review.

 Measles: what to know

Those who may have been exposed and believe they have measles symptoms are asked to contact their healthcare provider prior to visiting their offices to avoid more exposure.

Public Health is requiring the exclusion of students and staff without documented immunity to measles from schools identified as possible exposure sites. The exclusion does not apply to students and staff at schools where measles exposure did not occur.

Those with the disease are contagious for four days before a rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears, according to Public Health. The department noted that children younger than 5 and adults older than 20 were most likely to suffer complications including lung and ear infections, diarrhea and in rare cases swelling of the brain.

Public health did note some likely immune groups, such as those born before 1957, those who are certain they have already had the disease and those up-to-date on vaccines — one dose for children up to four years old and two doses for those four and older.

Learn more

Public Health has established a call center for questions about the investigation: (360) 397-8021. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends. There is also a website which, among other things, features an up-to-date list of potential exposure locations: clark.wa.gov/public-health/measles-investigation.

Anyone with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or Clark County Public Health, (360) 397-8021.