A Public Health Emergency continues across the state.
Thursday, the Department of Health said there were 54 confirmed measles cases in Washington. It's possible the number could still grow.
“It is not contained, the concern is not over,” said Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Deputy Director J.P. Anderson.
Lewis County Public Health officials are working every day to get ahead of the disease.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads fast. With an outbreak happening nearby in Clark County, officials are alerting school nurses and health care providers to teach them the signs and symptoms.
Lewis County hasn't had a confirmed measles case in years, but recently had a scare.
“One adult and one child were tested, but both those tests came back negative,” said Anderson.
Mom of four Crystal Dunn is concerned. Two of her kids are too young to get the full MMR vaccine.
"The baby I pretty much decided to not really take her around people and just kind of keep her in and when I do take her out I try to avoid people, keep her covered and try to encourage her not to socialize,” said Dunn.
The health department said most people with measles never got the vaccine.
Clark County has the sixth lowest immunization rate in the state at 77.6 percent. Data shows 90.2 percent of students in Lewis County are vaccinated, which is one of the highest in Washington.
“When something like this happens it reminds us of the importance of those vaccinations and the importance of our work,” said Anderson.
Measles symptoms include fever, rash, cough and red eyes. Because the disease is so contagious, health providers ask people to call ahead to warn physicians before heading to the hospital or clinic.
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