State issues reminder about vaccines

By Oliver Lazenby

After confirming several measles cases in Snohomish County, the Washington State Department of Health is reminding people to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The Snohomish Health District confirmed four new cases of measles in the same Snohomish County household last month, according to a July 12 press release. The individuals – one adult and three kids – developed fevers and rashes before being confirmed with measles, according to a press release from the Snohomish Health District. Also in early July, health officials in Multnomah County, Oregon, confirmed a case of measles near Portland.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It is mainly spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes and is one of the leading causes of death for children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Measles symptoms begin 7-21 days after exposure. It’s contagious approximately four days before to four days after the rash appears.

School students in Washington must have a MMR immunization before starting kindergarten unless a parent signs an exemption form, which they can do for personal or religious reason.

During the 2017-2018 school year, 90.6 percent of kindergartners and 96.1 percent of sixth graders in Washington state had up-to-date MMR vaccines. The state Department of Health’s goal is to have 95 percent of children up to date on the vaccine.

Learn more about measles and the MMR vaccine here: bit.ly/2mC58w3.