Measles outbreak in Washington has nearly 40 confirmed cases

A measles outbreak in two Washington counties has 39 confirmed cases.

Measles is more dangerous than many people think and can cause serious health complications.

Additionally, it’s extremely contagious. In fact, a person can become infected just by being in a room where someone with measles has been, even up to two hours after they’ve left.

Symptoms include high fever, red and watery eyes, cough and later a red rash that spreads from head to toe.

While health officials urge people to get immunized, it’s important to know that the shot doesn’t take effect immediately.

“If it’s like most vaccinations, usually, you figure about two weeks to develop all the immunity to it,” Southeastern Idaho Public Health’s Jeff Doerr explained.

“Just cause of the process the body recognizing, oh hey, what is this substance? Then we have to make the antibodies to it and everything and then that’s where it goes from there. Its just it takes time.”

SIPH sent a note to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 informing them of the details and asking for any parents of a child with a cough and high fever “keep him or her home and consult your medical provider for diagnosis and treatment.”