Another case of measles has been confirmed in Clark County, the first since March 2. That brings the total to 71 since the outbreak started, according to Clark County Public Health.
Public Health is also investigating three additional suspected cases, but no new measles exposure locations have been identified. For a complete list of exposure sites, visit our measles exposure site web page.
Public Health announced Monday that it has deactivated its measles call center. Anyone with questions about measles infections or exposures should call their primary provider or Public Health at 360-397-8182.
Of the 71 confirmed cases since Jan. 1, 52 involve children younger than 11. There are 15 cases between the ages of 11 and 18, one between the ages of 19 and 29, and three between the ages of 30 and 39.
In 62 cases, patients were not immunized; seven others have an unverified vaccination status. In two cases, patients had received one of the two recommended doses of the vaccine.
For more information on the outbreak, visit Clark County Public Health’s measles investigation webpage.
What to do if you might be infected
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the measles virus come down with the disease. The virus lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person, and can survive for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed.
Health officials are urging anyone who has been exposed at an identified location and believes they have symptoms of measles to call their health care provider prior to visiting the medical office to make a plan that avoids exposing others in the waiting room.
If you are unsure of your family’s immunization status, you can view, download and print your family’s immunization information online at wa.MyIR.net or request a copy of your immunization record from the Washington State Department of Health.
Anyone with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or a county health department:
Clark County Public Health, 360-397-8021.
Multnomah County, Ore., Public Health, 503-988-3406.
Washington County, Ore., Public Health, 503-846-3594.
Clackamas County, Ore., Public Health, 503-655-8411.
Clark County Public Health has been regularly updating its list of locations where people may have been exposed to measles. There are dozens of locations in total, including hospitals, Portland International Airport and multiple schools.
For a complete list of exposure sites, visit the Public Health measles investigation webpage at www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles/MeaslesOutbreak.
Measles symptoms begin with a high 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. A person can spread the virus before they show symptoms.
People are contagious with measles for up to four days before and up to four days after the rash appears. After someone is exposed to measles, illness develops in about one to three weeks.
