In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Clark County, Washington, local health officials reported an additional two confirmed cases bringing the outbreak total to 25 since the beginning of the year.
A dozen other suspected cases are also being reported by health officials.
The two new confirmed cases were being monitored by Public Health. The cases stayed home, as instructed by Public Health, which prevented additional exposures to the public.
In an interview with Fox 12 news, Clark County Public Health Director, Dr Alan Melnick said, “I don’t see this ending anytime soon”.
He said the county’s low vaccination rate is like kindling to a fire.
How contagious is measles? Answer: Very
The county currently carries a vaccination rate of 78%, much lower that the recommended 95% needed for herd immunity.
Dr Melnick also said the thing that keeps him up at night is “the possibility we could lose a child to this disease”.
The cost of measles: A CDC review
Prior to this outbreak, Clark County last saw the measles in 2011.
- Vaccines and hysteresis with Xingru Chen
- Norovirus confirmed as cause of Oasis of the Seas outbreak
- Gold Medal flour recall: Salmonella risk
- Infectious disease bric-a-bracs: Flu activity in the US, Q fever in British troops
- Washington measles: Confirmed case in King County
- Thailand: Chikungunya, dengue and measles during the first 3 weeks of 2019
- Ukraine: More measles deaths, many more cases
- Measles in the United States 2018: 2nd most cases since 2000
