The latest from Thurston County Department of Health:
Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency in all Washington counties in response to more than two dozen confirmed cases of measles in the state.
In his proclamation issued on Friday, January 25, Inslee stated that the measles virus "is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in small children." He also stated that the existence of 26 confirmed cases in the state of Washington as of January 25 "creates an extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties.”
To date there are no confirmed cases of measles in the Olympia School District. On January 27, two days after Inslee’s proclamation, the state Department of Health (DOH) reported there were 35 confirmed cases statewide – 34 in Clark County (Vancouver, WA area), and one in King County. Our school district is staying up-to-date about the measles outbreak and will communicate with families if there is information specifically about our district regarding this matter.
A current statewide case count for the measles outbreak, as well as extensive information and resources about measles in different languages, is available on the Washington State Department of Health website.
Measles is easily spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Almost everyone who is not immune will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. Because measles is contagious before people realize they are sick, people who are not vaccinated may spread the disease without knowing. DOH urges everyone to check their immunization records to verify they are fully immunized.
Below are some links to DOH website information about measles. Much of the information is also translated into other languages via links on the website. If you have any questions, please talk with your health provider and/or your school nurse.
Resources