Information on measles is available in 23 languages below and on our measles webpage
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Public Health is providing an update to our previous blog post about a group of international travelers who were exposed to a person with measles prior to arriving in Seattle. Members of the group who did not have evidence of immunity to measles entered quarantine after arriving in Seattle.
One individual in the group of travelers developed measles during their quarantine in Seattle. The individual is recovering and is no longer contagious.
The other travelers who were exposed and did not have evidence of immunity have completed their quarantines as well.
There are no exposures to the general public.
“We recognize how challenging this situation was for the group of travelers. It is very difficult to quarantine away from everyone for weeks, particularly when traveling far from home,” said Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
“Thanks to the care and cooperation of all those involved, we were able to prevent the spread of measles to others within the group and the wider community.”
Measles is very contagious and can lead to severe health outcomes. Any time someone is exposed to measles, Public Health responds quickly to prevent spread. This includes checking immunity of individuals exposed, providing guidance on quarantine, and supporting access to medical care as needed.
About measles
This is the first confirmed case of measles in King County in 2024. There were three cases in 2023. In 2019, there was a measles outbreak with 16 cases.
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 between 7 to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.
The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community is to get vaccinated. 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 about 97% effective at preventing measles and that protection is long lasting.
For more information about measles and measles vaccination, visit www.kingcounty.gov/measles
Originally posted 4/29/24