SEATTLE – Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating a confirmed measles case in an adult female King County resident. The individual was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Providence Swedish First Hill while infectious. The individual was unvaccinated, and the infection was likely acquired outside the United States.
“Measles is highly contagious and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Fortunately, the measles vaccine is very effective. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection against getting infected by measles and that protection lasts a lifetime.”
Location of potential exposure to the public
The infected individual was at the following public locations before she was diagnosed with measles. These times include the period when she 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 the following locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles:
| Date | Time | Location |
| 1/18/23 | 12:26 p.m. -3:00 p.m. | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, South Satellite (Gate B6) to Baggage Claim (Carousel 04) |
| 1/20/23 | 2:00 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. | Providence Swedish First Hill, Emergency Department 700 Minor Ave Seattle WA 98122 |
What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure
Most people in the area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, anyone who was in the locations of potential exposure to measles around the times listed 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 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.
People can get vaccination or medication after exposure in some cases to prevent illness – check with their healthcare provider. This is especially important for people at high risk for measles complications.
If anyone was at the locations at the times listed above and is not immune to measles, the most likely time they would become sick would be between 1/25/2023 – 2/10/2023.