The Lower Elwha Health Clinic in Port Angeles, Washington. Photo from Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Four cases of measles have been confirmed in Clallam County, Washington, and all have been linked to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

The county's outbreak appears to have originated with a 52-year-old man who visited the tribe's clinic on January 29. A five-year-old girl who was at the clinic about an hour later was diagnosed on February 11.

The girl's 14-year-old brother has since contracted measles. And so has a 43-year-old man who is an acquaintance of the original patient.

“Our clinic has notified all that were present that there was a possibility of exposure,” Chairwoman Frances Charles told The Peninsula Daily News. “We definitely went right into action and have taken the appropriate measures to make sure that everyone was notified. Nothing has transpired since then.”

Nationally, the outbreak appears to have originated late last year at Disneyland in California. From there, the cases spread quickly because measles is easily transmitted through the air. The virus can linger for up to two hours.

Get the Story:
Fourth case of measles confirmed in Port Angeles; 'potential for wider exposure,' public health officer says (The Peninsula Daily News 2/22)