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Officials: 30 measles cases in western Washington outbreak

In this Feb. 6, 2015 photo a flyer educating parents about measles is displayed on a bulletin board at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. Health officials say the number of confirmed cases of measles in western Washington has grown to 30, with nine more cases suspected. Clark County Public Health said Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, that 29 of the cases are in southwest Washington and one confirmed case is in King County. (Eric Risberg / AP)

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Health officials say the number of confirmed cases of measles in western Washington has grown to 30, with nine more cases suspected.

Clark County Public Health said Friday that 29 of the cases are in southwest Washington and one confirmed case is in King County, which is home to Seattle.

The majority of the cases involve children younger than 10.

Officials say 26 of the patients were not vaccinated against the highly contagious disease and in four cases it’s unclear whether the person was vaccinated.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can remain in the air for up to two hours in an isolated space.

The full vaccine is 97 percent effective and provides immunity for life.