8-21-2018
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A measles outbreak is affecting twenty-one states, including Washington, and has sickened 121 people since January.
In recent years, the rate of measles cases has increased as more Americans travel to countries that are not vaccinated against the disease and bring it back, infecting unvaccinated communities.
The CDC reports children with measles can contract ear infections that may lead to permanent hearing loss and in severe cases can develop pneumonia which can be fatal or encephalitis which can lead to intellectual disability.