Identification of new exposure sites for measles in Pierce and King counties

The Tacoma – Pierce County Health Department and Public Health – Seattle & King County are investigating a new case of measles likely to be exposed in both counties.

The resident of Pierce County, a man in his forties, spent time at the sites of Pierce and King counties while being contagious. The man was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.

He was not exposed to the most recent case in King County while this person was contagious. the source of infection for the resident of Pierce County is unknown.

Measles is a source of serious concern for unimmunized people, "said Anthony L-T Chen, MD, MPH, director of health of the Tacoma County-Pierce Health Department. "We urge these people to determine if they were in one of the places where they might have been exposed to measles. Children and adults up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines are very well protected and are not considered at risk, even in places of possible exposure to measles, "said Chen.

What to do if you are in an area of ​​potential exposure to measles

Most people in our area are immunized against measles through vaccination. The risk to the general public is therefore low. However, anyone in areas of potential exposure to measles at the times indicated below should:

• Find out if they have been vaccinated against measles or have already had measles.
• Call a health care provider promptly if you develop an illness accompanied by fever or accompanied by an unexplained rash between May 13 and May 31. To prevent the possible spread of measles to other patients, do not go to a clinic or hospital without first calling to tell them that you wish to be the subject of a measles assessment.

Potential exposure sites for measles in Pierce and King County

Measles transmission can occur before people know that they are carriers of the disease before the onset of a rash. Before the diagnosis of measles, the infected person was in the following public places.

These hours include the period during which the person was at the scene and two hours later. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the departure of a person infected with measles. Anyone who was at the following locations during the indicated hours could have been exposed to measles:

If you are in the places listed above and you are not immune to measles, you will most likely get sick between May 13 and May 31.

About measles

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that causes fever, rashes, coughing and red, watery eyes. It spreads mainly in the air after a person who has measles coughs or sneezes.

The symptoms of measles begin 7 to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious about four days before the onset of rash and up to four days after its onset. People can spread measles before having the characteristic rash of measles.

The complications of measles can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and, rarely, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Measles complications can occur even in healthy people, but those most at risk are: infants and children under 5, adults over 20, pregnant women and people whose immune system is weakened by drugs or an underlying disease.

Measles is preventable with the safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of MMR vaccine are more than 95% effective in preventing measles and their protection is sustainable.

What public health officials do

The infectious diseases survey is one of the essential services of the local health services. For this case, the Public Health Department of Tacoma County – Pierce conducts the investigation. Public Health – The counties of Seattle and King will work closely with the County of Tacoma – Pierce Health Department, with each jurisdiction following up with one of the affected residents.

Due to the increased activity of measles at the national level, the Washington State Departments of Health also alert health care providers and collaborate with schools and communities to provide education. on the prevention of measles.

Public health works across borders to protect our communities from the spread of dangerous diseases, "said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Seattle County Health Officer and King. "This case of measles reminds us that the health and safety of our region depends on a coordinated public health system," said Duchin.

For more information on measles and measles vaccination: kingcounty.gov/measles and www.tpchd.org/measles.

The above is a press release from the Tacoma-Piece and Seattle-King County Health Departments. The Auburn examiner has not independently verified its contents.