Local public health officials have confirmed a measles infection in an adult international traveler who was in King County during the contagious period. <!–more–>
Most people have immunity to the measles through vaccination, but people should check the exposure locations, know their immunization status, and call a health care provider promptly if they develop an illness.
All persons 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 February 1 and February 15.
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.
Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the traveler was in the following public locations. Anyone who was at the following locations during the times listed was possibly exposed to measles:
January 25, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Sheraton Hotel (common areas), 1400 6th Ave, Seattle
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. SeaTac Airport, Main Terminal and Concourse D
If you were at the following locations at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between February 1 and February 15.
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. (end)