For immediate release: April 30, 2008 (08-064)

Contacts:
Michele Roberts, Immunization Program CHILD Profile 360-236-3720
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076

Measles cases in Grant County — potential for other cases in Washington

OLYMPIA ¾ Three confirmed measles cases in Grant County raise concerns about the possibility that others may have been exposed. Five other suspected measles cases in the same family have not yet been confirmed by Washington State Public Health Laboratories.

The state Department of Health is working with Grant County Health to try to determine where the confirmed cases traveled in an effort to learn if others may have been exposed. Three members of the family attended the Generation Church Conference in Kirkland last month. It’s unclear if the first member of the family to become ill contracted measles at the conference or somewhere else. It remains unknown whether others in attendance were exposed to measles.

There were two conference sessions; one ran from March 25—27 and one from March 27—29. The Grant County family members attended the second session of the conference, but people in both sessions attended combined events on March 27. People from around the state, other states, and other countries attended the conference — attendance has been estimated at 2,000 or more.

It’s possible that the first member of the Grant County family was exposed to measles while at the conference in King County in late March, but Public Health – Seattle & King County has not confirmed this connection. At this time, Public Health is not aware of any other people who attended the conference and have had measles. As a precaution, Public Health is working with conference organizers to notify attendees that they may have been exposed to measles.

Measles (www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/measles.htm) spreads very easily through coughing and sneezing. A person with measles can spread the disease from four days before to four days after the rash starts. Symptoms of measles may include a high fever, cold-like symptoms, and a rash. It may also cause more serious problems like pneumonia.

These measles cases show the importance of making sure everyone is protected against measles and other preventable diseases. Vaccination provides the best protection. The MMR vaccine may be able to prevent measles if the shot is given within three days of exposure to the disease.

The MMR vaccine is recommended for children one year and older, as well as teens and adults who are not immune to measles. Children usually get one MMR shot around their first birthday and a booster shot between 4-6 years. Teens who have not received the vaccine need two doses. People 18 and older may need one or two doses of the vaccine depending on their age and other risk factors.

Anyone who attended the conference in Kirkland and thinks they have had measles is encouraged to consult a health care provider — especially those who’ve not been vaccinated for measles. It’s always important to call before going to the clinic or doctor’s office to be checked for measles so that other people are not exposed to the disease. Suspect measles cases should be reported immediately to the local health department (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm).

For more information on measles, contact your doctor, local health agency, or the state Department of Health Immunization Program (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/default.htm) at 360-236-3595. The state health department has additional measles information online (www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/Epidemiology/CD/ci/measles-grant.htm) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/default.htm) Web site has measles vaccine information.

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