Clark County measles case count up to 42 confirmed, seven suspect

Published Date

Clark County measles case count up to 42 confirmed, seven suspect

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health is continuing its measles outbreak investigation. Since Jan. 1, we have identified 42 confirmed cases and seven suspect cases. Public Health has not identified any new locations where people may have been exposed to measles.


Here are the details of the confirmed cases:

  • Age
    • 1 to 10 years: 31 cases
    • 11 to 18 years: 10 cases
    • 19 to 29 years: one case
  • Immunization status
    • Unimmunized: 37 cases
    • Unverified: four cases
    • 1 MMR vaccine: one case
  • Hospitalization: one case

Public Health is not providing any additional information about the one case with one dose of MMR in order to protect the patient’s 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.”
 

For a complete list of exposure sites, visit the Public Health measles investigation webpage.
 

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.


CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
communication specialist
Public Health
360.518.1731 cell
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov