NewsDesk @bactiman63

Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting the investigation of a confirmed measles case in a King County resident, an adult female. The individual was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Providence Swedish First Hill while infectious.

Date Time Location
1/18/23 12:26 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, South Satellite (Gate B6) to Baggage Claim (Carousel 04)
1/20/23 2:00 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Providence Swedish First Hill, Emergency Department   700 Minor Ave  Seattle WA 98122

Anyone who was at these locations within the time span that this person passed through may have been exposed to measles.

The individual was unvaccinated, and the infection was likely acquired outside the United States.

“Measles is highly contagious and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles and that protection lasts a lifetime.”

Health officials advise anyone with potential exposure should:

  • Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up-to-date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
  • Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be evaluated for measles.

You can get vaccination or medication after exposure in some cases to prevent illness – check with your healthcare provider. This is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications.

If you were at the locations at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick would be between 1/25/2023 – 2/10/2023.

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Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.

Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.

Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Complications from measles can happen even in healthy people, but those at highest risk include: infants and children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems from medications or underlying disease.

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