Clallam County Health and Human Services has issued a report of the response activities and costs associated with the 2015 measles outbreak in Clallam County. An estimated one-quarter of $1 million was spent by lead agencies on the measles response effort.

The first case of measles in Clallam County was confirmed on Feb. 3. Ultimately, five cases of measles were reported to CCHHS before the outbreak was declared over by the Washington State Department of Health on April 19.

One additional case, resulting in the death of a young woman with an underlying illness, was discovered after the outbreak was declared over.

The report highlights the costs incurred by CCHHS, Washington State Department of Health and Olympic Medical Center through May 31.

Costs identified by the primary response partners were estimated at $226,823.90. Since other partners could not report cost impacts and costs resulting from response to the measles death were not included, the final figure is likely a gross underestimate of the costs to contain the outbreak.

According to Iva Burks, Clallam County HHS director, “The total cost to the community for the six measles cases, including one death, is impossible to capture.

“The costs do not reflect cost of lost productivity among parents due to quarantine of children, health care costs of persons infected with measles, costs of disruption of normal activities at the agencies and businesses affected, costs to providers not reported, and the cost of the tragic death of a young woman and the great loss to her family and friends.”

Measles is an infectious disease that was eliminated in 2000 from the United States. Vaccination rates have declined since that time making it possible for this highly infectious disease to make a comeback.

Interim Clallam County Health Officer Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green said, “This is too high of a price tag for our community to pay. It is a wakeup call for all adults and children to get vaccinated against measles and other preventable diseases to protect not only themselves and their families, but vulnerable members of our community.”

A preliminary report was presented to the Clallam County Board of Health on July 21. The newly released report may be accessed at: https://websrv7.clallam.net/forms/uploads/HHS_ExposureSites.pdf.