Health district works to limit measles in Spokane

A second case of measles (rubeola) has been diagnosed in an unvaccinated adult resident of Spokane County. This individual was not seen in any health care settings and is a close contact of the first case, previously confirmed to have measles on April 21.

Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the second individual confirmed to have the virus was in the following public locations. Anyone who was at these locations during the times listed was possibly exposed to measles:

Thursday, April 23

7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Madeleine’s Café – 415 W Main

Thursday, April 23, 5 – 8 p.m.

WinCo Foods – 9257 N Nevada

Friday, April 24

7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Madeleine’s Café – 415 W Main

Anyone at these locations at the times listed and not immune to measles would likely become sick between April 30, 2015 and May 15, 2015. Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles (high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, rash) who believes they may have been exposed should contact their health care provider. The health district also still encourages anyone who was at these locations related to the first measles case to contact their health care provider if symptomatic.

All locations where public exposures potentially occurred no longer pose a risk for measles transmission. The first individual confirmed to have measles is no longer contagious, and the second individual is at home recovering and poses no risk to the public. As officials continue to investigate these cases, extra precautions are being taken to limit further spread of measles in the community. Any individual who is unvaccinated and experiencing symptoms of a high fever or rash is urged to avoid contact with unvaccinated individuals and to steer clear of other public activities, going to work or school, running errands, going to church, grocery shopping, using public transportation (bus, airplane, train), etc.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and a characteristic rash. The disease can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Infected people can spread measles from four days before a rash appears until four days afterward.

Officials are still working to identify how the original unvaccinated individual was exposed, but there is as yet no indication of recent travel or contact with a previously known case. The health district continues to monitor approximately 50 individuals who are known to be unvaccinated and who may have been in contact with the confirmed cases. Officials are ensuring that these residents spend 21 days at home to curb the risk of spreading the virus. An additional 250 individuals who were previously vaccinated or had proven immunity were cleared by the health district in the past week.

Vaccination is the safest, most effective way to protect individuals from measles and other potentially dangerous communicable diseases. Individuals who are under the age of one or with certain clinical conditions cannot be vaccinated and are therefore at highest risk for measles. Residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and the most vulnerable members of the community.

Kids need two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the first dose at 12-15 months and the second at four to six years of age. Adults should receive at least one dose of measles vaccine, unless they:

• were previously immunized (a titer measures this)

• were born prior to 1957

• have documentation of previously being diagnosed with measles by a doctor (this is not likely)

• have other medical contraindications for the vaccine

Adults unsure of whether they received the vaccine can be revaccinated, since there is no harm in getting a second dose. Pregnant women should wait until after giving birth to get the vaccine.

Individuals contacted by the health district and deemed at risk of infection have been offered assistance in finding vaccination resources and have been offered free blood screenings to determine their level of immunity to measles. During the past week, the health district worked with Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories and the eastern Washington chapter of the Medical Reserve Corps to administer more than 80 immunity screening tests. Those not being monitored by the health district but interested in obtaining this blood screening test can talk to their health care provider or simply walk into any Pathology Associates patient service center and pay $45 to get the test.

The immunity screening test (also called a titer) measures antibody levels to determine whether an individual’s immune system is able to respond to a measles infection. If the antibody level is negative, an individual should consider getting the MMR vaccine.

Individuals who wish to get the MMR vaccine, can:

• Call their doctor/nurse/clinic

• Visit their local pharmacy

• View this list of local community service providers

• Visit http://flushot.healthmap.org/

For those who are uninsured or underinsured, area Walgreens pharmacies have a limited supply of low-cost MMR vaccine. Area Safeway pharmacies are also able to administer MMR vaccine to children beginning at age one. Those needing help finding a health care provider or not covered by health insurance can call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit ParentHelp123 website.

Continue to refer to the health district’s frequently-asked questions on the home page of srhd.org for the most up-to-date information on the outbreak. Members of the public with general measles questions can also call 2-1-1, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m, PDT. Members of the public who are concerned that they may have been exposed to measles should first talk to their health care provider or call 509-324-1550. Also follow the health district’s social media channels on Facebook and Twitter (follow #SpokaneMeasles) for more information or visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page at cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html.