Clark County Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of measles in a child in the county, the department announced today.
A news release from Public Health stated that individuals who were at the clinic and waiting area of PeaceHealth Urgent Care at 3400 Main St. between noon and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 may have been exposed.
Public health said that the infected child traveled to Clark County from outside the country in late December and has an unverified immunization status.
Public Health advised anyone who was exposed and believed they had measles symptoms to contact their health care provider before heading to their offices as a way to avoid further exposure during the visit. The release stated symptoms begin with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually begins at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
Those with the disease are contagious for four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears, according to the release. Public Health 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.
Those with questions about measles or its vaccine are directed to call their primary care provider or Clark County Public Health at (564) 397-8182.
