Health officials warn of possible exposure to measles in King County

SEATTLE -- Local public health officials said Tuesday they have confirmed a measles infection in an infant who was in several locations in King County during the contagious period.

The infant is a King County resident who was too young to be vaccinated and likely exposed to the measles while overseas, officials said.

Most people  have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, all people who were in the following locations around the same time as the individual with measles should:

Locations of potential exposure to measles

Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the infant was in several King County locations where other people might have been exposed. Anyone who was at one of the following sites during the following times was possibly exposed to measles:

SeaTac

 

Seattle

 

Tukwila

 

If you were in these locations at the times above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is betweenNov. 24 and Dec. 17.

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 un-vaccinated, pregnant women, infants under six months of age and those with weakened immune systems.

For more information about measles, a fact sheet is available in multiple languages at: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/diseases/measles.aspx