Health District Reports 16 Tuberculosis Cases Under Treatment

The Yakima Health District is reporting 16 people are being treated for Tuberculosis or TB in Yakima County. All are undergoing a 4 to 12 month treatment.

WORLD TB DAY WAS HELD ON MARCH 24

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease that spreads from person to person through the air and usually affects the lungs, but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise awareness and provide education on the impact of TB around the world.

THERE'S ALSO A BIG CONCERN ABOUT AN OUTBREAK OF MEASLES

While Yakima is seeing measles cases health officials are also concerned about measles.
Outbreaks are being reported in Texas and Ohio.
Stephanie Ruiz with the Yakima County Health District says while there are no local cases reported they're closely monitoring the situation. She says health officials are watching the situation closely because one case has been reported in King County "linked to travel."

ANY CASES IN YAKIMA COUNTY?

The last known case of Measles in Yakima County was reported in 1990. According to the Washington State Department of Health a community needs a minimum of 90% of its members to be vaccinated to help prevent measles outbreaks. They say in Washington State 98.5% of K-12 students have been immunized against the disease.
How do you know if you have Measles? Ruiz says Measles often starts with a cough, high fever, runny nose, red watery eyes followed by a red rash.