Measles Outbreak Response Draws to a Close

— from the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department —

San Juan Health and Community Services officials are expressing their gratitude to its community partners and others who assisted during the measles outbreak in March and April. Despite wide potential exposure to the disease from a total of six cases in the County, the spread of the disease was limited.

“We are especially grateful to the physicians and staff of San Juan Health Care Associates, Peace Island Hospital ER, Peace Island Clinic, and Peace Health Laboratories for their tremendous efforts in working with us and members of the community,” said Health & Community Services Director Mark Tompkins.

Tompkins and Health Officer, Dr. Frank James, also expressed their thanks to the management and staff of The Cask and Schooner, King’s Market, China Pearl, The Bean, and Bakery San Juan for their help and cooperation with measles case investigations and circulation of information “The businesses responded immediately and effectively to assist our department in controlling this outbreak,” James said.

Overall, the County’s public health professionals gave the community, its emergency responders and schools high marks for professionalism and their willingness to assist in getting out informational announcements, phone calls, and tracking.

The County’s institutions helped mobilize parents, students and others to insure that vulnerable people were immunized. Between March 28 and April 29, 2014, more than 400 county residents received MMR immunizations.

“We should stress that there are few measures in preventive medicine that can compare with the impact of vaccines,” Dr. James said. “Vaccines provide protection for our entire community. We strongly encourage you to review your family’s immunization history and assure that you are fully vaccinated. “

The Health Department will follow the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation and remain alert for additional measles cases for 42 days after the last day that a person was contagious in the area. The final day of surveillance will be May 25, 2014.

Health officials continue to encourage people to contact the SJC Health and Community Services Department at 360-378-4474 with any concerns or questions.