Clark County measles outbreak rises to 71 confirmed cases, 3 more suspected

VANCOUVER, Wash. –Public health officials confirmed a new measles case on Tuesday, bringing the total to 71 identified cases in the Clark County outbreak since the beginning of the year.

Authorities say they are also investigating three other suspected cases.

Officials say there are no new locations where the contagious patients visited, potentially exposing others to the measles.

You can find a complete list of exposure sites online.

At this point, most of the cases involve children under 10 years old. Authorities say 15 of the cases involve children 11 to 18 years old, one patient between 19 and 29 years old, and three cases for people ages 30 to 39.

Records show that 62 of the patients were unimmunized, seven people were not verified to have had the vaccine, and two cases where patients only had the first MMR shot.

Measles symptoms begin with a mild fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash.

If you or your child show signs of measles, call your health care provider before coming in so they can limit exposing anyone else in the waiting room.

The CDC says one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93 percent effective, while having two doses of the vaccine is 97 percent effective. Children typically receive the first MMR vaccine at one year to 15 months old, and the second dose from 4 to 6 years of age.

If you have any further questions about the measles, call your local health department:

• Clark County Public Health: (360) 397-8021
• Clackamas County Public Health: (503) 655-8411
• Multnomah County Public Health: (503) 988-3406
• Washington County Public Health: (503) 846-3594