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Measles in Washington
State
Due to widespread use of the two dose series of
measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles is rarely
reported in
Washington, unless an outbreak occurs.
Most cases of measles in the US result following contact with
an imported case from areas where measles is still endemic.
DOH receives 1 to 38 reports of measles infections per year.
The last measles-associated death occurred in 1990.
Case reporting or inquiries may be addressed to DOH
Communicable Disease Epidemiology or to the DOH Immunization
Program.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To educate potentially exposed persons about signs and
symptoms of disease, thereby facilitating early diagnosis
and preventing further transmission.
- To assist in the diagnosis of cases.
- To identify contacts and recommend appropriate
preventive measures, including exclusion, use of immune
globulin and immunization.
- To identify situations of undervaccination or vaccine
failure.
Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: immediately notifiable to
Local Health Jurisdiction
- Hospitals: immediately notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction
- Laboratories: immediately notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction, specimen submission required
- Local health jurisdictions: suspected or confirmed cases
are immediately notifiable to DOH Communicable
Disease Epidemiology: 1-877-539-4344
Last
update
Aug. 2005 |
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