Kidswatch Pro

By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Health officials in King County, Washington, are reporting a new confirmed measles case in a child who is a resident.

Measles/CDC

The child  received care at the Emergency Department at Seattle Children’s Hospital and remains hospitalized. While contagious, the patient was in Fred Meyer in Kent and the Seattle Children’s Hospital Emergency Department before receiving the diagnosis of measles. Seattle Children’s is in the process of notifying patients who may have been exposed.

According to the Washington Department of Health, this is the eighth measles case reported in King County this year and the seventh since May.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

The source of the child’s measles is currently unknown and an investigation is in progress to determine if there is any link between this case and other cases in King County or Washington state.

“The continued occurrence of measles cases in King County means we face an ongoing risk of outbreaks among people who don’t have immunity,” said Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Measles vaccine is safe, effective, and offers excellent protection. If you aren’t sure if you’re up to date with the recommended doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR), see your health care provider and get a dose of MMR if needed.”

Transmission of measles can occur before people know they have the disease, before any rash appears. Before the measles diagnosis was made, the infected individual was in the following public locations:

Date Time Location
6/19/19 6:45 pm-9:45 pm Fred Meyer, 25250 Pacific Hwy S., Kent 98032
6/23/19 12:45 am-2:45 am Emergency Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle 98105
6/26/19 2:30 am-4:30 am Emergency Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle 98105
6/26/19 1:10 pm-3:10 pm Emergency Department, Seattle Children’s Hospital 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle 98105

These times include the period when the individual was at the location and two hours after.