By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Public Health – Seattle & King County reports investigating a new confirmed measles case in a King County male child.

The infection was likely acquired while traveling outside the United States.

Health officials there are possible public exposures at Sea-Tac Airport.

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

Date Time Location
11/5/20 10:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Sea-Tac Airport, North Satellite (Gate N-11) to Baggage Claim (Carousel 13)

These times include the period when the individual was at the location and two hours after. Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infectious with measles leaves the area. Anyone who was at these locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles.

Image/geralt

“Measles outbreaks continue to circulate in many areas of the world. As long as people travel, no community is safe from measles introductions,” 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.

“During our COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to stay up-to-date on all scheduled vaccinations for children, so we don’t lose important community protections against other serious infections.”

Anyone who was in the locations of potential exposure to measles around the times listed below 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 illness 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.

· Vaccination or medication can be given 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.

Everyone should stay up-to-date with measles and other routine vaccinations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, to keep our community protected against other serious infections.

Measles symptoms could appear starting from seven days after the first exposure to twenty-one days after the last exposure to someone with measles. Rash is most likely to appear a few days after the fever, ten to twelve days after an exposure.

This is the 13th measles case reported in the US in 2020 to date.