Measles Count at 12 in Washington — Spreads to 3 Counties on West Side

Officials are not calling it an epidemic but they are concerned.

Cases from San Juan County have now spread to a third county, as a case has been reported in Kitsap County.

Washington State Department of Health officials say 12 people are now confirmed to have contracted the illness. A Whatcom County woman who proved to be contagious had attended a number of public events and venues, the San Juan County cases likely involve individuals who went to the same restaurant. Normally, Washington state has about 5 cases a year.

Officials urge people to get vaccinated, as measles are a highly contagious illness. You can contract it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or even breathes. They don't have to do it on you -- if they cough or sneeze in a room and you enter shortly afterward, you can become infected.

For more information go to the Washington State Department of Health website.