PORT ANGELES — A third case of measles has been confirmed on the North Olympic Peninsula.
All three cases are in Port Angeles.
The patient, a 43-year-old Port Angeles man, has been quarantined since Feb. 5 — including the period in which he was infectious — because he was a personal acquaintance of a 52-year-old man who was the first in Clallam County to be confirmed to have measles.
The latter man, also of Port Angeles, was diagnosed with measles Feb. 1 and was hospitalized at Olympic Medical Center. He has since recovered.
Clallam County Health and Human Services said Thursday the 43-year-old man’s diagnosis was confirmed by test results late Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a 5-year-old girl who is a student at Olympic Christian School in Port Angeles remains quarantined with measles.
No cases have been confirmed in Jefferson County.
The girl’s diagnosis led Clallam County health authorities to order the quarantine of non-immunized students at Olympic Christian School, 43 O’Brien Road, Port Angeles, until Feb. 27.
An unknown number of other people may have measles in Clallam County, state and county health officials said Thursday.
The number is uncertain because private health care providers as well as public health authorities can submit blood tests to the state Department of Health laboratories in the Seattle suburb of Shoreline.
Public health authorities learn of such cases only if measles is confirmed.
That the 43-year-old man did not spread measles was attributed to his adherence to quarantine, his daily reports to public health nurses and his cooperation, said Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green, Clallam County health officer.
Immunized people can neither contract measles nor spread it to others.
Children require two vaccinations about a month apart to get full immunity.
Adults born after 1956 usually require one vaccination. Adults born before 1957 generally are thought to be immune.
People with measles can spread the disease to others from four days before the infected people develop the ailment’s telltale rash. They remain contagious for four days after the rash appears.
Clallam County Health and Human Services’ Public Health Section will continue with no-cost clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 111 Third St., Port Angeles.
Additional no-cost clinics are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27.
People can call 360-417-2274 to make appointments. Walk-ins will be served but may face a wait.
Including administrative and injection fees, the shots normally cost $112.
Health and Human Services officials are evaluating when and where to have clinics outside of the Port Angeles area, said Iva Burks, director of the department.
All parents are encouraged to check the vaccination status of children, she said.
