Local public health officials have confirmed a measles infection in a child who was in several locations in King County during the contagious period.
The child is a King County resident who was incompletely vaccinated — had one of the recommended two doses of vaccine and at an age earlier than recommended — and exposed to a sibling who had the measles. The sibling was unvaccinated and had become infected while traveling in Europe; the sibling’s case was previously announced by public health officials.
What to do if you were in location of potential measles exposure
Because most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, the risk to the general public is low. In addition, outdoor exposure locations carry lower risk. However, all people who were in the following locations around the same time as the individual with measles should:
• Find out if they have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously, and
• Call a health care provider promptly if they develop an illness with fever or illness with an unexplained rash between Sept.r 4 and Sept. 20. 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.
Locations of potential exposure to measles
Before receiving the measles diagnosis, the child 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:
Aug. 28:
• Central Park Tennis Club—5820 125th Ln NE, Kirkland, 4-8 p.m.
Aug. 29:
• Central Park Tennis Club—5820 125th Ln NE, Kirkland, 4-8 p.m.
Aug. 30:
• AV Performance Tennis Club—13203 NE 16th St, Bellevue, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Eastside Tennis Center—10822 117th Pl NE, Kirkland, 2:30-4:45 p.m.
• Central Park Tennis Club—5820 125th Ln NE, Kirkland, WA, 4-7:30 p.m.
If you were in these areas at the times above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between Sept. 4 and Sept. 20.
Public health officials have notified the locations where the public may have been exposed.
About measles
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 unvaccinated, 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 on the website
Measles vaccination schedule
Children should be vaccinated with two doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose should be at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at four through six years of age. Infants traveling outside the United States can be vaccinated as early as six months but must receive the full two dose series beginning at 12 months of age; more information is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
For help finding low cost health services, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
