FROM CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Vancouver, WA – Clark County Public Health is investigating a second case of measles in a school-age child. This child, a young teen, was exposed Feb. 14 while visiting the medical facility where the first child sought care following a trip to India. The second child was unvaccinated when exposed.
Clark County Public Health is urging persons who might have been exposed and are unvaccinated and susceptible to measles to get vaccinated and avoid going out in public for seven to 21 days after exposure.
While contagious, the second child, a student at Vancouver Christian School, visited the 7-Eleven store at 5101 N.E. 112th Ave. Vancouver, on Sunday, February 27, the City Harvest Church youth group in Vancouver that met on Sunday, February 27, and the Southwest Medical Group at Fishers Landing on Tuesday, March 1.
Who has been exposed
People who visited the same 7-Eleven between 4 – 8 p.m., Sunday, February 27, the City Harvest Church youth group in Vancouver on Sunday, February 27 between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m., and the Southwest Medical Center at Fishers Landing Tuesday, March 1 between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., are considered exposed to measles.
What to do if exposed
For susceptible people, measles vaccine is most effective if given within 72 hours of exposure. That time period has passed, however, and susceptible people who were exposed are at risk of getting measles seven to 21 days after exposure. If six months or older, they should receive a measles vaccination as soon as possible. Whether or not they receive it, they should avoid public settings for seven to 21 days after
exposure, which is from March 6 until March 20. Pregnant women and immunocompromised persons can receive immune globulin within six days of exposure, or by 8 p.m., Saturday, March 5.
Who is considered susceptible to measles
Although most people are not susceptible, measles is highly contagious among susceptible populations. People are considered susceptible unless:
• They have laboratory confirmation by blood test or documentation of two measles shots, typically given as an MMR
• They were born before Jan. 1, 1957 (except health care and daycare workers)
• Their physician has documented that they have had measles
Persons who are considered susceptible and who may have been exposed at the 7-Eleven store at 5101 N.E. 112th Ave. Vancouver, on Sunday, Feb. 27 between 4 -- 8
p.m., the City Harvest Church youth group in Vancouver that met on Sunday, February 27th between 5:30 and 10:30 p.m., and Southwest Medical Center at Fishers Landing Tuesday, March 1 between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. should contact their health care provider.
Who else has been exposed
Public Health is working with administrators at the child’s school, medical facility where the child was treated, and City Harvest Church to identify and notify others who might have been exposed.
About measles
Measles is a highly contagious, potentially serious or fatal disease characterized by a rash, high fever and one or more of the following symptoms: cough, conjunctivitis, sneezing, nasal congestion and nasal discharge. Temperature can exceed 104° F and usually falls two to three days after onset of the rash. The measles virus can live for two hours after an infected person has spread it by sneezing or coughing. Although measles cases are not common in the United States, outbreaks can occur among populations that are unvaccinated and lack immunity. Measles can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, and one-to-three cases per 1,000 is fatal.
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