People wondering if they are at risk of measles can call their health provider or call Clark County Public Health at 360-397-8205.
No additional cases of measles were reported Wednesday in Clark County, following Tuesday night’s announcement that a local infant has the disease.
“We are hopeful that there will be no additional cases,” said Marni Storey, Clark County’s public health services manager.
However, Storey added, “If there are new cases, we would not expect them before early next week, due to the incubation period of seven to 21 days.”
The people most at risk of catching the highly contagious disease would have been exposed at two health care sites where the infant was taken Monday: Evergreen Pediatrics, 505 N.E. 87th Ave., between 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Southwest Washington Medical Center, in the hallway near the pharmacy or at the outpatient lab, between 4:30-8:30 p.m.
The public health department has established 360-397-8205 as the number for people with measles concerns to call. (It posted an incorrect number Tuesday night).
“Both our call center and Evergreen Pediatrics are receiving a very high volume of calls,” Storey said Wednesday morning.
“Although we are concerned, we want to reassure everyone if you were not at the two locations described at the times described,” she said. “In addition, if a person has had two measles vaccinations, they are considered immune.”
People who are at risk should get a measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure, according to a department bulletin. They should receive the vaccination by today, between 1:30 and 8:30 p.m., depending on when they were exposed. Pregnant women or immunocompromised people should get immune globulin by 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Measles is rare in the United States because most children are vaccinated. Most measles disease in the U.S. is related to travel outside the country, which matches the local case. The infant had recently returned with his family from India.
The first symptoms of measles are a fever up to 104 degrees, runny nose, cough, sneezing and red, watery eyes. A rash then appears on a victim’s face and moves down to most of the body.
“The child did have symptoms of measles and a history of exposure during travel, but the disease is confirmed through laboratory testing,” Storey said.
“What is important to note is that an astute pediatrician recognized this may be measles, obtained appropriate diagnostic tests, did what they could to reduce exposure to others and notified public health right away.
“This is how the system works, and it is helping all of us ensure susceptible people are notified and receive appropriate preventive treatment,” Storey said.
Around the world, measles is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among young children, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no specific treatment for measles.
In addition to those who have been vaccinated, people are considered immune if they have already had measles or if they were born before Jan. 1, 1957. Those people lived through several years of epidemics before the first measles vaccine was licensed, according to the CDC, and are very likely — 95 to 98 percent — to have had the disease.
Tom Vogt: 360-735-4558 or tom.vogt@columbian.com.
