More measles cases reported in Grant County

Health district recommends up-to-date vaccinations

GRANT COUNTY - The Grant County Health District reported 12 measles cases have been confirmed in the county.

Four new reports emerged since an initial announcement last Wednesday that eight children in one Moses Lake family contracted the illness, Public Information Officer Theresa Fuller said.

Three Moses Lake Christian Academy students and a student at Covenant Christian School contracted the illness.

The eight children were home schooled.

The only connection made between cases so far is two of the students attended the same Generation Church Conference in Kirkland, Wash., that the family in the first eight cases attended, Fuller said.

Fuller said the health district's priority is to identify close contacts who have not been immunized and to get them immunized.

Public health directives were issued to the two schools stating non-vaccinated students cannot are excluded from school until 21 days after their latest exposure, Fuller said.

Moses Lake Christian Academy canceled formal and informal group activities that are not part of normal school attendance, said academy Administrator LeAnne Parton. School remains open.

"We're just making sure everyone here is vaccinated or they're not here," Parton said.

She said 5.7 percent of the student population is exempt from vaccinations. Students who are exempt and have not contracted measles cannot return to school until May 20 if they are in elementary school, and May 16, if they are in seventh through 12th grade, she said.

"Every student that is here today was cleared," Parton said.

A play at the academy scheduled for May 9 and May 10 was postponed, according to the play's director.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, students at the academy traveled April 29 to Western Washington as part of a school trip. People who visited the following sites could have been exposed to measles, the Department of Health reported:

• Krispy Kreme in Issaquah from approximately 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, from approximately noon to 4:45 p.m.

• McDonald's, at 1590 N.W. Gilman Blvd, #E-2 in Issaquah, from approximately 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Indian John Hill rest area, near Cle Elum on I-90 eastbound, from approximately 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Department of Health stated anyone who visited the locations during listed times, and who develops measles-like symptoms, should contact a health care provider. It is especially important for people who are not vaccinated for measles, the department advised.

Symptoms include cold-like symptoms, a high fever, and a rash, the department reported. Measles can cause more serious problems such as pneumonia, the department added.

Fuller cautioned that people should call their health care provider or clinic prior to showing up at the facility.

"It is very important that you observe your child and call ahead to seek medical care for any symptoms of measles," stated administrator Peggy Grigg. "Please notify the Grant County Health District if you are aware of anyone with a rash illness."

The health district recommends children and non-immune adults receive updated vaccinations.

According to the state health department, those who were born in 1957 or later and received a vaccine prior to 1968, never received a vaccine, never contracted measles or had no blood test showing immunity should consider getting vaccinated.

For more information, call the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960, or a health care provider.