No new cases of measles have been reported in Clark County following two diagnoses of the disease in recent weeks.
But those who were exposed may not be in the clear yet.
Measles has a seven- to 21-day incubation period, meaning people exposed to the disease may not show symptoms for up to three weeks after exposure.
The first confirmed case of measles was a Clark County infant diagnosed Feb. 14 after returning from a family trip to India. The second case was a Vancouver teenager who was exposed to the contagious infant at a medical clinic. While contagious, the teen went to school, stopped by a 7-Eleven store, attended a youth group and visited a medical clinic.
While the incubation period for the first case has ended, those who were exposed to the teen could still develop symptoms until March 20.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if there were more cases because it’s exquisitely contagious,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer. “I’m just hoping immunization rates are high enough in the community that we won’t see it.”
People are considered immune to measles if they have received two doses of the measles vaccine, have had the disease, or were born before Jan. 1, 1957.
The teen was not vaccinated when exposed to the infant.
Melnick said area physicians are being vigilant when people present rashes or other symptoms of the measles. Physicians call public health officials when they suspect a possible measles case. Health officials then meet with the person to determine if he or she could have been exposed, Melnick said.
So far, no one else has been diagnosed, he said.
News of the two measles cases has prompted parents to get their children immunized against the disease, Melnick said. Medical offices have reported an increase in people requesting the vaccine, even if they were not exposed to the infant or teen, he said.
Susceptible people who visited the following locations may have been exposed to the contagious teen:
• Vancouver Christian High School on Feb. 25.
• The 7-Eleven store at 5101 N.E. 112th Ave. in Vancouver between 4 and 8 p.m. Feb. 27.
• City Harvest Church in Vancouver between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m. Feb. 27.
• Southwest Medical Group at Fisher’s Landing between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. March 1.
Marissa Harshman: marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
