205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 04/19/2019 - A Central Washington University (CWU) student who recently returned from international travel was reported to have been exposed to measles. The student was not vaccinated against measles.
At this time, the student is not ill and cannot transmit the measles virus to anyone else. The student does not live on the CWU campus. Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) has quarantined the student until the risk of developing illness and spreading measles is past. KCPHD is working closely with the CWU Student Medical and Counseling Center to ensure that the rules of quarantine are followed and the student’s needs are met. KCPHD is working with the Washington State Department of Health to confirm the exposure. Measles is a serious illness that is very contagious. Symptoms include a high fever and rash. Recent outbreaks have occurred in the United States in poorly vaccinated groups who were exposed to measles through international travel. According to KCPHD’s Health Officer, Dr. Mark Larson, “Vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles. This is a great reminder for everyone to check their vaccine records and get up-to-date with all recommended vaccines.” More information about measles and recent outbreaks in the United States is available on these websites: https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Liz Whitaker, RN, Community Health Supervisor, (509) 962-7515