Seattle Children’s nurse diagnosed with measles

SEATTLE -- Another person was diagnosed with measles in King County, county officials said Monday. This comes less than a week after a teen and a young child were reported with the disease.

Seattle Children's Hospital says the patient was one of its nurses who was working with a child who had contracted measles. They say she was fully vaccinated and was wearing protective equipment but still contracted the disease anyway.

The hospital says "We are in the process of notifying patients, families and staff who may have been exposed, providing information about exposure dates, disease symptoms and offering preventative treatment if necessary. "

This brings the total number of cases in the county in just a few months to 10.

Here’s a list of locations the latest person visited while infectious.

 

"The measles vaccine is very effective -- up to 97% -- in protecting a vaccinated person from getting the disease," James Apa with Public Health – Seattle & King County explained. "Occasionally, someone who is vaccinated for the measles may become ill. But even if they get the disease, having had the vaccine can help to lessen their symptoms and potentially reduce their chance of spreading the disease to others."

Symptoms of measles do not appear until about a week after contracting the disease. The CDC says the measles vaccine can still be effective if administered soon after coming into contact with the disease.

If you feel you have been in any of these areas and might be infected, see your doctor.