The measles virus
Today’s measles outbreak update from Clark County Public Health has one more confirmed case, though the total number remains at 53 as one case was determined a misdiagnosis by the agency following additional testing.
The one newly-confirmed case had been monitored by Public Health and the patient, an unimmunized child somewhere between age one and 10, had stayed home, preventing further exposure sites, according to the agency.
Public Health announced that one case initially confirmed as measles has been taken off of their running list, noting that the patient had a rash due to receiving a dose of the MMR vaccine. In 5 percent of first-time recipients a benign rash appears, and following testing at “a specialized, out-of-state laboratory” it was determined to be a vaccine response.
Public Health noted that measles cannot be transmitted from the vaccine, only the wild virus.
With the removal of the confirmed case Public Health took off exposure sites at St. Paul Christian Daycare, The Vancouver Clinic Salmon Creek, the Vancouver Women, Infant and Children office and public areas at Tower Mall, all on Jan. 23.
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.
