SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — The Snohomish County Health Department reported Tuesday that at least two people have been exposed to the measles virus.
The Snohomish County positive cases come a week after Public Health – Seattle & King County announced a confirmed measles case in an adult who traveled through Sea-Tac airport while infectious.
The SCHD said it is working with the exposed individuals and monitoring their symptoms closely. The two people who’ve been exposed were advised to quarantine as much as possible and to wear a mask when in public places, according to the SCHD.
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“If a person was at Seattle-Tacoma International airport on January 10 between 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm, it is possible that they were exposed to measles,” wrote the SCHD in a press release. “The infected person was in the S-Gate concourse, the D-Gate concourse, customs arrivals, and baggage claim. The most likely time frame a person would become sick if they were infected by this exposure is between January 17, 2025 and January 31, 2025.”
What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure
Public Health – Seattle & King County said most people in the area have immunity to measles through vaccination. Therefore, 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 do the following, according to Public Health:
- 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 checked for measles after an exposure. It is also important to limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.
“We are most concerned about people who do not have immunity from vaccination, especially young children. Measles is highly contagious and in severe cases, can cause very high fevers, pneumonia, and, although more rare, brain swelling, and even death” says Dr. James Lewis, Health Officer for Snohomish County. “As of this past December, measles was reported in 30 states, including Washington, and 80 percent of those cases were in people who did not have confirmed vaccination.”
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