Clark County Public Health reported today two more confirmed cases of measles it has investigated, bringing the total number up to 25 with a dozen more suspected cases still being looked at.
Public Health noted that no new exposure sites were discovered, as the cases stayed home, following its guidelines which were to call healthcare providers prior to making a visit to their offices.
The outbreak was first reported earlier this month with a case in Clark County leading to exposure at PeaceHealth Urgent Care on New Year’s Eve. On Jan. 18 Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring declared the outbreak a public health emergency.
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 am to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends. There is also a website: 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.
