The state company is urging group members, together with dad and mom and caregivers, to make sure youngsters are protected against the illness by getting two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Adults must also confirm their very own measles vaccination standing by checking their immunization data on-line at MyIRmobile.com, or by talking with a well being supplier, in response to the state well being division.
In 2020, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention declared measles eradicated from the US after excessive vaccination charges stopped the unfold of the illness.
Information from the Washington State Division of Well being reveals that throughout the 2023-24 faculty yr, 94.5 p.c of Ok-12 college students in Clark County had accomplished their measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Nonetheless, the measles vaccination charge amongst Clark County kindergartners was 89.9 p.c throughout that very same interval, down from 92.1 p.c in 2019.
A minimum of 95 p.c of residents should be vaccinated in opposition to measles to attain herd immunity for the extremely contagious illness, in response to Clark County Public Well being Director Dr. Alan Melnick.
Measles could cause critical well being problems, particularly in youngsters youthful than 5 years previous, in response to the CDC. Measles signs don’t seem till 10 to 14 days after publicity. These signs embrace cough, runny nostril, infected eyes, sore throat, fever, and a purple, blotchy pores and skin rash, in response to the CDC.
Individuals who have had two doses of the MMR vaccine are protected in opposition to an infection if they’re uncovered. Whereas having two doses is 97 p.c efficient, people who find themselves immune and uncovered to measles ought to nonetheless monitor themselves for signs.
The final measles outbreak in Clark County started Jan. 3, 2019, when laboratory testing confirmed measles in a toddler who traveled from Ukraine.
Later that yr, in April, Public Well being declared the measles outbreak over, after six weeks with no new circumstances In complete, 71 circumstances of measles have been confirmed throughout the monthslong outbreak.
