CNN reporters Holly Yan and Debra Goldschmidt posted an article on February 4th, “Washington measles outbreak climbs while other states grapple with the disease“.  Here are the highlights:

  • In 2019, Washington state has averaged one or more new measles case a day, with Clark County Public Health confirming 49 cases of measles since January 1st.  In King County, one confirmed case has been reported.  41 of the 49 people infected with measles were not vaccinated against the disease, Clark County officials said. Clark County Public Health is urging anyone who believes they have symptoms of measles, or thinks they were has been exposed at an identified location, to call their health care provider prior to visiting the medical office to make a plan that avoids exposing others in the waiting room.  Most of the Washingtonians affected — 34 — are children between the ages of 1 and 10.
  • Washington isn’t the only state grappling with the disease. Officials in Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, reported 3 cases of measles Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the state this year to 6.  According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 10 states have reported cases of measles in 2019: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington. In all, at least 79 cases have been reported nationwide this year.
  • According to the New York State Department of Health, 209 cases have been reported there since October: 64 in Brooklyn, 145 in Orange and Rockland counties – as of last week.  The outbreaks began when travelers to Israel and Ukraine, where large measles outbreaks are ongoing, returned with the illness.
  • The measles vaccine — known as the MMR vaccine — is very effective. One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles if you come in contact with the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective.