Gov. Brown urges vaccinations as measles cases grow to 55

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is urging residents to get vaccinated as public health officials in Oregon and Washington report a combined 55 confirmed cases of measles.

Brown said Thursday that the Oregon Legislature will likely be taking a look at ways to tighten up the state’s immunization rules in the wake of the Pacific Northwest measles outbreak.

Clark County, Washington — where the outbreak began — reports there are 11 additional suspected cases, including three in unvaccinated people who had contact with contagious individuals.

Fifty of the confirmed cases are in southwest Washington, one is in the Seattle area and four are in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous viral illness that is transmitted through coughing and sneezing.