Measles Cases Hit 16 With More Suspected in SW Washington

Officials say the number of confirmed measles cases in southwestern Washington has increased to 16 with five more suspected.

Clark County health officials in Washington said Thursday the confirmed cases include 13 children under 10 years old, and the remaining three are under 18.

Officials say 14 were not immunized against the disease, a highly contagious viral illness spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

People who visited nearly two dozen locations in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon might have been exposed.

The patients while contagious have visited schools and medical facilities, the Portland International Airport and retailers including the Northeast Portland Costco and Ikea stores.

The new locations where people may have been exposed to measles include:

Health care facilities:

Rose Urgent Care and Family Practice, 18 NW 20th Ave.
Battle Ground from 3:45 to 8 pm Monday, Jan. 14
Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Emergency Department, 2211 NE 139th St., Vancouver from 11:40 pm Monday, Jan. 14 to 5:10 am Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Schools:

Tukes Valley Primary School, 20601 NE 167th Ave., Battle Ground on Tuesday, Jan. 8
Tukes Valley Middle School, 20601 NE 167th Ave., Battle Ground on Tuesday, Jan. 8

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 hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily, including weekends.

At this time, it’s unclear whether these cases are connected. This is an ongoing outbreak investigation. Public Health will provide updates as additional information becomes available. Public Health has created a webpage dedicated to the measles investigation that contains the latest information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

Anyone with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their local county health department:

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

Officials urge those with symptoms to contact health officials before visiting a health care facility to contain the spread of infection. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash.