Melnick on the measles epidemic: "We are not yet at the end of our troubles"



[ad_1]

Sites of immunization

The following communities in Clark County offer measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Some sites offer vaccines for appointments, others require appointments. It is recommended to call in advance to check which options are available.

Direct patient care: E. Main Street, Battle Ground, Ste. 121.

Vancouver Clinic: 700 N.E. 87th Avenue, Vancouver; 2005 W. Main Street, Battle Ground; 501 S.E. 172nd Avenue, Vancouver; 2525 N.E. 139th St., Vancouver; 291 C St., Washougal, Ste. 110; Columbia Tech Center, 501 S.E. 172nd Avenue, Vancouver; Vancouver Plaza Neighborhood Clinic, 7809 N.E. Vancouver Plaza Drive, Vancouver, Ste. 110.

Kaiser Permanente: Cascade Park Medical Practice, 12607 S.E. Boulevard Mill Plain, Vancouver; Salmon Creek Medical Office, 14406 N.E. 20th Avenue Vancouver; Orchards Medical Practice, 7101 N.E. 137th Avenue, Vancouver; Battle Ground Medical Office, 720 W. Main St., Battle Ground, Ste. 115.

Many Safeway and Albertsons Washington and Oregon facilities offer MMR vaccine to walk-in patients. It is recommended to call the pharmacist of the place before confirming availability. The vaccine is available from 9:00 to 21:00. From Monday to Friday; 9h to 18h Saturday; and from 11h to 18h Sunday. All children (aged 5 and over) and adults can be vaccinated.

The Clark County measles outbreak has become a roller coaster ride.

"These are peaks and valleys," said Dr. Alan Melnick, director of public health for Clark County.

Nearly two months have elapsed since the first exposure reported by Public Health and it seemed that the epidemic could have slowed down last week, before the mbadive arrival of new cases confirmed on February 16 and 17.

"We are not out of trouble yet," said Melnick.

The number of confirmed measles cases remained stable at 53 between February 8 and 15, with a new case added but an old case eliminated due to new tests.

The truce ended with six new cases reported on 16 February and two more the following day. A confirmed case was identified Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, bringing the total to 65 confirmed cases by Saturday. There is a suspect case.

Melnick said that there was usually a week to a week and a half between each wave of the outbreak. He added that the county could see more cases this week, as more venues were identified on February 14, 15, and 18.

Several sites of the Vancouver Clinic have been identified as possible exposure sites on these dates. Melnick said that he felt that people who phoned before had symptoms similar to those of measles before consulting a health care provider, even with these recent exposures.

"There is less of that than in the beginning," he said.

The epidemic cost Clark County more than $ 500,000 and about $ 18,500 is spent each day on response efforts. Public Health has budgeted $ 750,000 for the outbreak response until March 14.

Melnick added that active public health surveillance keeps people at home so they do not contaminate others. Melnick said that you can see that the approach works because fewer show sites appear each week.

"Exhibitions are going down," said Melnick. "I'm pretty optimistic."

[ad_2]
Source link