Original story (1/23/2019): Seattle and King County are investigating a suspected measles infection in a King County resident. A man in his 50s was hospitalized but has since recovered. It is not clear where the man’s infection was acquired, although he reported recent travel to Vancouver, Wash., during part of the time he could have been exposed. Vancouver is in Clark County, where there is a measles outbreak occurring.
Before he was diagnosed with measles, the infected individual was in the following public locations.
- Lease Crutcher Lewis Boeing 17-88 Construction Site (2400 Perimeter Rd., Auburn WA, 98001) on Jan. 9, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lease Crutcher Lewis Boeing 17-88 Construction Site (2400 Perimeter Rd, Auburn WA, 98001) on Jan.10, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Kent Lake High School at the Mt Rainier High School vs Kentlake High School basketball game (21401 SE Falcon Way, Kent, WA 98042) on Jan. 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m
- Lease Crutcher Lewis Boeing 17-88 Construction Site (2400 Perimeter Rd, Auburn WA, 98001) on Jan. 11, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Kent Lake High School at the Kent Lake High School vs. Tahoma High School basketball game (21401 SE Falcon Way, Kent, WA 98042) on January 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m
- Covington Urgent Care (27500 168th Place SE, Covington, WA 98042) on Jan. 14, from 9:55 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Multicare Covington Hospital Emergency Department (17700 SE 272nd St, Covington, WA 98042) on Jan. 16, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, certain areas in Seattle have low vaccination rates and over 100 King County schools don't meet recommended vaccination standards.
Anyone who was in the locations of potential exposure to measles around the times listed below should:
- Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously
- Call a health care provider promptly if you develop an illness with fever or illness with an unexplained rash between Jan. 16 and Feb. 6, 2019. To avoid possibly spreading measles to other patients, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be evaluated for measles.
Those most at risk from exposure to measles are unvaccinated individuals, pregnant women, infants under 6 months of age and those with weakened immune systems. Learn more about the illness.
More about the vaccine
The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Most children receive this vaccine at ages 12 –15 months and at 4–6 years old.
All vaccines are free for kids through age 18. If a health care provider charges you, ask to have the fee waived. The Vaccines for Children (VCF) program offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children through VFC-enrolled doctors.
If you need help finding a health care provider, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit this website.
