Nine more cases are suspected, but no new exposure sites have been confirmed
VANCOUVER. – The number of confirmed measles cases in Clark County has increased yet again. Public Health now says 49 cases have been confirmed, up from 47 on Sunday, with nine cases currently suspected.
The age of the measles victims has also trended upward, but the bulk are still 1 to 10 years old.
Here are the details of the confirmed cases:
1 to 10 years: 34 cases
11 to 18 years: 13 cases
19 to 29 years: one case
30 to 39 years: one case
Of those cases, 42 have been confirmed as being unimmunized, and six are unverified. One victim had had one MMR vaccine, but not a follow-up shot. Clark County Public Health says they are not releasing that person’s identity in order to protect their privacy.
“The measles vaccine isn’t perfect, but one dose is 93 percent effective at preventing illness,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “The recommended two doses of the measles vaccine provide even greater protection — 97 percent.”
There has also been one confirmed measles case in Multnomah County linked to the Clark County outbreak. Another case in King County involved a man who had recently traveled to Clark County.
The latest release indicates that no new potential exposure sites have been identified. You can find a list of previous exposure sites and times here.
Clark County Public Health is 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. People who believe they have symptoms of measles should not go directly to medical offices, urgent care centers or emergency departments (unless experiencing a medical emergency) without calling in advance.
Additional resources
For information about additional exposure sites in Oregon, linked to the confirmed case in Multnomah County, visit the Oregon Health Authority measles webpage. For information about other measles cases in Washington, visit the Washington State Department of Health measles webpage.
Public Health has established a call center for questions related to the investigation. Anyone who has questions about public exposures should call 360.397.8021. The call center is open daily.
Anyone with questions about their measles immunity or the measles vaccine should contact their primary care provider. Clark County Public Health does not provide immunizations or testing for immunity.
If you are unsure of your family’s immunization status, you can view, download and print your family’s immunization information online at MyIR or request a copy of your immunization record from the Washington State Department of Health.
