Health officials announce public exposures to new measles case

Local public health officials have confirmed a measles infection in an infant who was in several locations in King County during the contagious period. The infant is a King County resident who was too young to be vaccinated and likely exposed to the measles while overseas.

What to do if you were in location of potential measles exposure

Most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, all people who were in the following locations around the same time as the individual with measles should:

• Find out if they have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously, and
• Call a health care provider promptly if they develop an illness with fever or illness with an unexplained rash between November 24th and December 17th. To avoid possibly spreading measles to other patients, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be evaluated for measles.

Locations of potential exposure to measles

Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the infant was in several King County locations where other people might have been exposed. Anyone who was at one of the following sites during the following times was possibly exposed to measles:

SeaTac

• SeaTac Airport, 11/17/13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: S Gate, customs, baggage claim

Seattle

• Arbor Place Tower, 121 Vine Street: lobby and elevators
  • 11/17/13, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
  • 11/18/13, noon-11:00 pm
  • 11/19/13, 10:00 am–4:00 pm
  • 11/23/13, 4:00 am–8:30 am
  • 11/25/13, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
  • 11/26/13, midnight–2:00 am
• Rite Aid, 2603 3rd Avenue, 11/18/13, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
• Macy's, 1601 3rd Avenue, 11/19/13, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
• Ross Dress for Less, 301 Pike Street, 11/19/13, 1:00 pm-3:15 pm
• Target, 1401 2nd Avenue, 11/19/13, 1:15 pm-3:45 pmm

Tukwila

• Ross Dress for Less, 17672 Southcenter Pkwy, 11/18/13, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
• Seafood City, 1368 Southcenter Mall, #100, 11/18/13, 8:00 pm-10:30 pm

If you were in these locations at the times above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between November 24th and December 17th. 

Public health officials have notified the locations where the public may have been exposed.

About measles

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It is mainly spread 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.

People at highest risk from exposure to measles include those who are unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants under six months of age and those with weakened immune systems.

More information about measles including a fact sheet available in multiple languages.

Measles vaccination schedule

Children should be vaccinated with two doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose should be at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at four through six years of age. Infants traveling outside the United States can be vaccinated as early as six months but must receive the full two dose series beginning at 12 months of age; more information is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Adults should have at least one dose of measles vaccine, and two doses are recommended for international travelers, healthcare workers, and students in college, trade school, and other schools after high school.

For help finding low cost health services, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.