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King Co. investigating measles case
King Co. investigating measles case
SEATTLE -- Health officials are investigating a case of measles in a King County man who visited Vancouver, Wash., where about two dozen cases have been reported.
According to Public Health Seattle & King County, the man in his 50s was hospitalized but has since been released.
"It is not clear where the man’s infection was acquired, although he reported recent travel to Vancouver, Washington during part of the time he could have been exposed," officials wrote Wednesday in a news release. "Vancouver is in Clark County, where there is a measles outbreak occurring."
Officials said Wednesday evening that lab tests confirmed the man had measles.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides over 95% protection against measles and that protection is long lasting.”
Important information from King County health officials:
SW Washington outbreak
Health officials now say they have confirmed 23 measles cases in Clark County since the beginning of the year. Clark County Public Health said it is also investigating two suspected cases.
Officials say 20 of those infected were not immunized, while the three others are not verified to have had the vaccine.
Eighteen of the cases involve children under 10 years old, four cases involve those from 11 to 18, and one person is between 19 and 29 years old.
Those who are infected have visited public places while contagious, including the Portland International Airport, the Dollar Tree in Vancouver, and several health care facilities and schools.
This was the first time Clark County had a measles case since 2011, according to KPTV.