SPOTTED

Measles Outbreak Swells to 49, First Adult Over 30 Diagnosed

The Vancouver-area measles outbreak largely driven by unvaccinated children continues to grow.

The number of people with measles in the ongoing Vancouver-area outbreak rose to 49 on Monday, including one adult between the ages of 30 and 40, The Oregonian reported. The new patient is the oldest person in this outbreak to be diagnosed; only one other adult has been identified so far. Nine more people are also suspected of having measles; public health officials are awaiting test results before making any further announcements. If those cases are confirmed, the number of people infected by this outbreak, which is largely fueled by unvaccinated people, will swell to 58 patients. Washington health officials urge anyone in the area who hasn’t been vaccinated to do so immediately. Nearly all of the patients in this outbreak are people who have not been vaccinated against the disease; 30 cases are children aged ten or younger. Measles are more likely to cause complications for very young children (less than five years) and adults (older than 20 years), according to the CDC.