Public Well being – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in a King County resident, an grownup feminine. The person was at Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport and Windfall Swedish First Hill whereas infectious. Anybody who was at these places throughout the time span that this individual handed by means of might have been uncovered to measles. The person was unvaccinated, and the an infection was probably acquired exterior america.
“Measles is very contagious and if you happen to don’t have immunity, you may get it simply by being in a room the place an individual with measles has been,” stated Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Illness Chief for Public Well being – Seattle & King County. “Luckily, the measles vaccine could be very efficient. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine gives about 97% safety in opposition to getting contaminated by measles and that safety lasts a lifetime.”
Location of potential publicity to the general public
The contaminated particular person was on the following public places earlier than she was identified with measles. These instances embody the interval when she was on the location and two hours after. Measles virus can stay within the air for as much as two hours after somebody infectious with measles leaves the realm. Anybody who was on the following places in the course of the instances listed may have been uncovered to measles:
| Date | Time | Location |
| 1/18/23 | 12:26 p.m. -3:00 p.m. | Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport, South Satellite tv for pc (Gate B6) to Baggage Declare (Carousel 04) |
| 1/20/23 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. | Windfall Swedish First Hill, Emergency Division 700 Minor Ave Seattle WA 98122 |
What to do if you happen to have been in a location of potential measles publicity
Most individuals in our space have immunity to the measles by means of vaccination, so the danger to most people is low. Nonetheless, anybody who was within the places of potential publicity to measles across the instances listed ought to:
- Discover out when you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles beforehand. Ensure you are up-to-date with the really helpful variety of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
- Name a healthcare supplier promptly if you happen to develop an sickness with fever or with an unexplained rash. To keep away from presumably spreading measles to others, don’t go to a clinic or hospital with out calling first to inform them you need to be evaluated for measles.
You may get vaccination or remedy after publicity in some instances to forestall sickness – test together with your healthcare supplier. That is particularly vital for folks at excessive danger for measles issues.
Should you have been on the places on the instances listed above and are usually not resistant to measles, the almost certainly time you’d turn out to be sick could be between 1/25/2023 – 2/10/2023.
About measles
Measles is a extremely contagious and probably extreme illness that causes fever, rash, cough, and crimson, watery eyes. It primarily spreads by means of the air after an individual with measles coughs or sneezes.
Measles signs start seven to 21 days after publicity. Measles is contagious from roughly 4 days earlier than the rash seems by means of 4 days after the rash seems. Individuals can unfold measles earlier than they’ve the attribute measles rash.
Measles can result in ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and infrequently, encephalitis (mind irritation).
Issues from measles can occur even in wholesome folks, however these at highest danger embody: infants and youngsters below 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant folks, and other people with weakened immune programs from medicines or underlying illness.
In case you are in considered one of these high-risk teams and have been uncovered to measles at considered one of these places, be sure you contact your well being care supplier to debate the necessity for remedy to forestall measles an infection.
Measles is preventable with the protected and extremely efficient measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% efficient at stopping measles and that safety is lengthy lasting.
For extra details about measles and measles vaccination, together with the place to get measles vaccinations: www.kingcounty.gov/measles
Initially posted on January 21, 2023.