Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.

Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.

Measles complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Complications from measles can happen even in healthy people but those at highest risk include: infants and children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems from drugs or underlying disease.

Measles vaccine (MMR)

Kids need two doses of MMR – the first dose at age 12-15 months and the second at four to six years of age.

If you want to get the 2nd dose before age 4 years, especially if you live in or near areas of the outbreak or you’re planning travel, call us to schedule a lab appointment. The MMR dosing interval is 28 days, meaning you can get the 2nd dose at any age as long as it’s been 4 weeks since the first.

Current investigation Washington State outbreak- updated  1/29/2019

Clark County Public Health is continuing its measles outbreak investigation. Since Jan. 1, we have identified 36 confirmed cases and 12 suspect cases. Public Health has also identified one new location where people may have been exposed to measles.

Here are the details of the confirmed cases:

• Age
      •  1 to 10 years: 25 cases
      •  11 to 18 years: 10 cases
      •  19 to 29 years: one case

• Immunization status
      •  Unverified: four cases
      •  Unimmunized: 32 cases

•Hospitalization: one case

Resources

https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles/FrequentlyAskedQuestions#vaccine

https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles/MeaslesOutbreak