BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho Department of Health and Southwest District Health report four additional people have been confirmed in southwest Idaho.

All four of the infected individuals are children who live in the same house as the initial measles patient, first reported on Sept. 20.

"We are concerned to see this spread, but not surprised," said Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho state epidemiologist and medical director for the Division of Public Health at the Department of Health and Welfare. "Measles is very infectious. We are hopeful that this disease does not spread more widely in the community."

Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. Measles is usually considered a childhood disease, but it can be contracted at any age, according to Southwest District Health. Series complications can include encephalitis, pneumonia and rarely death.

"We are again reminding everyone that the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization with the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, which protects against all three diseases," said Ricky Bowman, epidemiology program manager with Southwest District Health. "Do not rely on other people's immunizations to protect you. The best protection is to get yourself and your children immunized."

Contact your health provider immediately if you have been exposed or believe you may have been exposed. Symptoms should be monitored for 21 days.

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwss6uqWaZlJm2tbXOp5ilZZ2arrS4xKxknJmjmsBur86nnaKqnZqxbrXNZqqoraSdxKa%2F02agnZmYpHqiuMtmnaunnWLBqbGMrJimnV2dvLa%2FxKGmpZw%3D