MEASLES
KITSAP UPDATE
Currently there are no reported cases of measles in Kitsap County.
- Clark County measles outbreak declared over (4/29/19)
- Recommendations for Families Considering Travel to Clark County for School Events (2/1/19)
- Measles Letter for Parents of School-Age Children (01/30/19)
WASHINGTON STATE UPDATE
For information on case numbers and exposure locations related to current measles cases and outbreaks in Washington State:
PROTECT YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES
Measles is a contagious disease that causes high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. A rash of tiny red spots breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin. Measles can progress to pneumonia, brain swelling, brain damage and death.
Individuals at higher risk for severe illness and complications from measles include:
- Infants and children younger than 5 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with compromised immune systems
There is no treatment for measles, but there is a way to prevent it. The combination of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine protects you and helps stop the spread of the measles virus to others. When more than 95 percent of people are vaccinated against measles, the disease slows down and doesn't spread as easily. Community (or "herd") immunity happens when enough people in a community are vaccinated against measles that it protects individuals who are not vaccinated or immune from measles.
The best way to protect babies under 1 year of age from measles is to ensure that individuals around them, including family members and caregivers, are vaccinated.
Kids should get two doses of MMR vaccine:
One dose between ages 12 and 15 months, and the second between ages 4 and 6 years. If your family will be traveling outside the US or to an area with measles, please contact your healthcare provider about the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Adults born after 1956 may need an MMR vaccine if they have not already had it.
It's not too late to get vaccinated:
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to catch up on your vaccines.
Talk to your healthcare provider to get the MMR vaccine for your children. Washington provides MMR vaccines at no cost for kids through age 18, and they're available from healthcare providers across the state. Providers may charge an office visit fee and a fee to give the vaccine, called an administration fee. However, if you can't afford the administration fee, you may ask your provider to waive it.
Click here to go to the Washington State Department of Health's frequently asked questions page.
General Measles and MMR Vaccine Information
- Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Measles Page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Measles Page
- DOH MMR Page
- CDC - Measles: Make Sure Your Child is Fully Immunized
- CDC - Frequently Asked Questions about Measles in the U.S.
Resources for Medical Providers
- Kitsap Public Health District (KPHD) Healthcare Providers Page (includes notifiable condition information)
- Kitsap County Provider Alerts, Advisories, and Updates
- DOH Measles Toolkit for Healthcare Providers (Scroll down to "Resources" Section)
- CDC Measles Page for Healthcare Providers
Resources for Schools and Childcare Centers
- Sample School Measles Plan
- DOH Measles Toolkit for Schools and Childcare Centers (Scroll down to "Resources" Section)
- DOH School and Childcare Immunization Webpage
- Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Immunizations Page
- DOH and Washington State Department of Early Learning (now Department of Children, Youth, and Families) 10/24/17 Message - The Importance of Immunizations for Children in Child Care
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department - Illness Prevention and Control in Schools and Childcare Centers
If you have suggestions or other kinds of feedback about the resources on this webpage, we would love to hear from you. Please complete the comments form at this link or email prepare@kitsappublichealth.org