The Washington State Department of Health is announcing four newly diagnosed cases of measles in residents of three western Washington counties (King County 2, Snohomish County 1, Pierce County 1). These new cases are in addition to the case Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced Sunday.
While the exact exposure information for the new cases is not yet known, all spent time in SeaTac airport during their likely time of exposure or infectiousness. Find more details on places the new cases visited when they were infectious at Public Health — Seattle & King County, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Snohomish Health District websites. Each local health agency will add new information about dates and locations of potential exposure to measles as each local investigation proceeds.
The Washington State Department of Health is supporting local public health agencies with disease investigation, laboratory testing and other efforts to protect their communities.
A current statewide case count for measles is on the department’s website and will be updated as new cases are diagnosed.
Measles is highly contagious and can be serious. Measles is easily spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Almost everyone who has not had the vaccine or measles previously will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus.
The department urges everyone to check their own and their children’s immunization records to verify that they’re fully immunized. You can check your immunization status through the DOH website.
UPDATE:
From the Tacom/Pierce County Health Department
Anyone who was at these places during the times listed could have been exposed:
- Target South Hill Mall, Puyallup: May 11, 10:35 a.m.-1:50 p.m.
- Costco (Puyallup): May 11, 11 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
If you were potentially exposed, symptoms would likely appear May 18-June 1. Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or unexplained rash. To avoid possibly spreading it, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to say you think you have measles.
From the Seattle/King County Department of Health
New exposure locations have been identified since May 15. All exposure locations in King County, including those from previous cases, are updated at kingcounty.gov/measles/cases.
| Date | Time | Location |
| May 6-9, 2019 | 7:30 am – 6 pm | Issaquah High School 700 2nd Ave SE Issaquah 98027 |
| May 6, 2019 | 6 pm – 1 pm | Coldwell Banker Bain 1151 NW Sammamish Rd., Ste. 103 Issaquah 98207 |
| May 7, 2019 | 4 pm – 9 pm | Coldwell Banker Bain 1151 NW Sammamish Rd, Ste. 103, Issaquah 98207 |
| May 7 – 10, 2019 | 3 am – 4 pm | SeaTac International Airport, 1st Floor Parking Garage, Orange Elevators, Breezeway over Skybridge 5, Terminal to Baggage claim area |
| May 7, 2019 | 9 am – 2 pm | Third & Broad Business Building 2901 3rd Ave Seattle 98121 |
| May 7, 2019 | 12 pm – 2:30 pm | Cherry St Coffee 2719 1st Ave Seattle 98121 |
| May 9, 2019 | 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Hops n Drops 4506 Klahanie Dr. SE Issaquah 98029 |
| May 9, 2019 | 9 am – 6 pm | Third & Broad Business Building 2901 3rd Ave Seattle 98121 |
| May 9, 2019 | 11:30 am – 2:30 pm | Matt’s in the Market 94 Pike St, Ste. 32 Seattle 98101 |
| May 10, 2019 | 11 am – 4:00 pm | Open House at Hunter’s Ridge 4548 244th PL SE Issaquah 98029 |
| May 12, 2019 | 9:30 am-1:00 pm | Coldwell Banker Bain 1151 NW Sammamish Rd, Ste. 103 Issaquah 98207 |
As more locations are identified, they will be added to a list of all measles cases and locations of exposure in King County at kingcounty.gov/measles/cases.
More information about other cases in Washington state is available from the Washington State Department of Health.
About measles
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 to someone with measles. 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 complications can include 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 women, and people with weakened immune systems from drugs or underlying disease. If you are in one of these high risk groups and were exposed to measles, be sure to contact your health care provider to discuss the need for treatment to prevent measles infection.
Measles is preventable with the safe and highly effective measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine are more than 95 percent effective in preventing measles and that protection is long lasting.
What public health officials are doing
Investigation of infectious diseases is one of the essential services local health departments provide. Public Health – Seattle & King County is working in close coordination with the Washington State Department of Health, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, and Snohomish Health District on measles investigations.
Because of increased measles activity nationally, health departments throughout Washington state are also alerting healthcare providers and working with schools and communities to provide education about preventing measles.
The above is a press release from the Washington State Department of Health. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its contents.
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