Public health emergency declared over measles outbreak

(Update: Confirmed measles cases to 19; seven suspected; health emergency declared)

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – County officials have declared a public health emergency in response to a measles outbreak in southwestern Washington.

Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring made the declaration Friday afternoon to ensure the county’s public health office has adequate resources from outside the region if necessary to continue its response.

Officials will keep providing daily updates on its measles investigation webpage .

Officials said the number of confirmed measles cases had increased to 19 with seven more cases suspected.

The confirmed cases include 15 children under the age of 10, three people between 10 and 18 and one adult.

Officials say 16 were not immunized against the disease, a highly contagious viral illness spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

People who visited nearly 30 locations in the Portland-Vancouver area may have been exposed.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash.