Measles Alert!

— from San Juan County Health and Community Services, Updated April 2 at 5 p.m. —

Currently there are four suspected cases and one confirmed case of measles on San Juan Island.

A San Juan Island adult has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of measles. The dates this person was contagious are from March 21, 2014 to March 29, 2014.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory viral disease that spreads easily when the infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. The virus remains in the air up to two hours even after that person is gone.

All persons who are exposed to the virus and have not been immunized against measles will most likely get the disease. The symptoms of measles will be present 7-21 days after exposure. Symptoms are high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a rash of tiny, red spots that starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles is especially dangerous for children under 12 months of age, pregnant women, and immuno-compromised persons.

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, usually administered to children at 12-15 months old and at 4-6 years old. To be considered immune, a person should have two documented doses of the MMR vaccine. Most adults born before 1957 had measles and are considered to be immune. Adults born in and after 1957 should have had at least one dose of MMR or have evidence of immunity.

You may have been exposed to measles if you were at the following locations:

o The Bean Cafe on March 23 from 3pm until 5:30 pm (new information)
o Cask and Schooner on

• March 21 from 3:45 pm until 12 midnight
• March 22 from 3:45 pm to 1:15 am
• March 23 from 4 pm to 12 midnight
• March 24 from 2:45 to 12 midnight

o China Pearl (upstairs bar only) on March 22 from 11:30 pm until 3 am
o King’s Market on March 24 from 2 pm until 5:30 pm

If you were at any of the above locations on the mentioned dates, and either don’t have or are unsure if you have immunity, please contact your health care provider or the San Juan County Health Department at 378-4474.

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine, usually administered to children at 12-15 months old and at 4-6 years old. To be considered immune, a person should have two documented doses of the MMR vaccine. Most adults born before 1957 had measles and are considered to be immune. Adults born in and after 1957 should have had at least one dose of MMR or have evidence of immunity.

The San Juan County Health Department will be available to address any concerns or answer any questions.

San Juan Health Care and Peace Island Medical Center are set up to help you determine your immunization status. If you do need blood work, they will schedule you for testing.

Every person who has been exposed per the above list should check their immunization status as well as that of those of people living with you. All exposed individuals should consider getting immunized at this time. .

For more information on measles, please go to:doh.wa.gov/Documents/Fact-Measles