GRANT COUNTY, Wash. — Grant County Health District was notified Tuesday of two confirmed measles infections in unvaccinated children from the same household.
The children likely contracted the highly contagious disease during recent out-of-country travel, according to health officials. One child required initial hospitalization, but both are now recovering at home.
Health officials identified four locations in Moses Lake where potential measles exposure occurred between March 7 and March 12. Anyone who visited these locations during specified times could have been exposed to the virus.
The exposure locations and times include:
March 7: Confluence Direct Care walk-in clinic at 840 E. Hill Ave. from 9:20 a.m. to 1 p.m.March 10: Samaritan CareToday Family Care at 1550 S. Pioneer Way from 2:20 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.March 11: Samaritan Emergency Department at 2000 S. Clover Drive from 2:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.March 12: Samaritan Emergency Department at 2000 S. Clover Drive from 9:05 p.m. to 12:10 a.m.
The listed times include the period when infected individuals were present plus two additional hours afterward.
Dr. Alexander Brzezny, Grant County Health Officer, emphasized the importance of vaccination verification.
“Now is the time to make sure you and your family are protected from measles,” Brzezny said. “Check your vaccination records and get up to date with the MMR vaccine. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious illness, but it’s also highly preventable. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at protecting against measles.”
Health officials said the risk to the general public remains low because a high percentage of Grant County residents have immunity through routine vaccinations. The community risk will stay manageable if eligible residents remain current with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
People who visited the identified locations during exposure times and lack current MMR vaccination would most likely develop symptoms between March 14 and April 2, health officials said.
Grant County Health District continues working to identify and notify anyone who may have had contact with the infected individuals.
Health officials urge residents to verify their vaccination status and ensure they are current with MMR vaccines, particularly before traveling internationally.
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