The Pacific Northwest is now seeing people who have contracted measles, a highly contagious disease. If you believe that you or a loved one may have been infected, contact your primary-care provider to determine next steps. If you need immediate attention, call ahead of where you are going to let them know you may have measles.

The best way to prevent measles is vaccination and staying home when ill to prevent it spreading to others. If you have not been immunized, contact your primary care provider as soon as possible and ask about getting the vaccine.

• Measles symptoms include a mild to moderate fever, persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes and sore throat; and later a rash.
• Measles can be especially dangerous for the immune-impaired, elderly and infants.
• Measles is contagious from four days before until four days after the rash appears.

For more information visit https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles.