Canadian vacationer with measles visited over a dozen places in King, Snohomish counties

SEATTLE — Public Well being – Seattle and King County is warning the general public after a Canadian resident visited over a dozen places in King and Snohomish counties whereas infectious with measles.

The well being company stated the Canadian resident frolicked in western Washington between April 30 and Could 3 and visited “a number of public places in Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett and Woodinville whereas contagious with measles, however earlier than being identified with measles.”

Well being officers stated the particular person’s vaccine standing is unknown, and this case just isn’t related to any earlier native measles circumstances. Measles can unfold earlier than a rash seems and other people know they’ve the illness.

Based on Public Well being – Seattle and King County, the Canadian resident visited the 16 places listed beneath. The occasions listed embody the estimated time the particular person was on the location and two hours after because the measles virus can stay airborne for as much as two hours after an contaminated particular person leaves the realm:

Most residents in western Washington are resistant to the illness by means of vaccination. Based on Public Well being – Seattle and King County, anybody who visited the places above in the course of the listed occasions and isn’t resistant to measles will “most definitely” develop into sick between Could 7 – 24.

“Globally and within the U.S., we’re experiencing a big measles resurgence. With over 1,000 circumstances reported thus far this 12 months nationally, 2025 is on monitor to have the best variety of measles circumstances within the U.S. because the early Nineteen Nineties,” stated Meagan Kay, Medical Epidemiologist for Public Well being – Seattle & King County. “It’s an vital time to verify your vaccination standing and get vaccinated should you aren’t protected.”

What’s measles?

Measles is a extremely contagious and doubtlessly extreme respiratory illness. The virus is airborne and spreads simply when an contaminated particular person breathes, sneezes or coughs. The virus causes fever, rash, cough, runny nostril, and crimson, watery eyes.

If one particular person has measles, Public Well being – Seattle and King County stated as much as 9 out of 10 individuals close by may also develop into contaminated in the event that they’re not protected.

Signs can start between seven to 21 days after publicity. The virus is contagious from round 4 days earlier than a rash seems by means of 4 days after it seems, and the virus might be unfold earlier than the “attribute measles rash” seems, well being officers stated.

There’s no particular remedy for measles, so docs typically attempt to alleviate signs, stop issues and maintain sufferers snug.

Can measles be deadly?

It often doesn’t kill individuals, however it will probably.

Widespread issues embody ear infections and diarrhea. However about 1 in 5 unvaccinated People who get measles are hospitalized, the CDC stated. Pregnant girls who haven’t gotten the vaccine could give beginning prematurely or have a low-birthweight child.

Amongst youngsters with measles, about 1 in each 20 develops pneumonia, the CDC stated, and about one in each 1,000 suffers swelling of the mind referred to as encephalitis — which might result in convulsions, deafness or mental incapacity.

How will you stop measles?

One of the simplest ways to keep away from measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The primary shot is advisable for youngsters between 12 and 15 months previous and the second between 4 and 6 years previous.

There may be knowledge on the security and effectiveness of the vaccine as a result of it has been round for many years.

Vaccination charges have declined nationwide because the COVID-19 pandemic, and most states are beneath the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners — the extent wanted to guard communities towards measles outbreaks.

Do you want a booster should you received the MMR vaccine some time in the past?

Well being care professionals are generally examined for antibodies to measles and given boosters if needed, even when they’ve already had the usual two doses as a baby.

Well being officers stated individuals at excessive threat for an infection who received the photographs a few years in the past may additionally wish to think about getting a booster in the event that they stay in an space with an outbreak. These could embody members of the family residing with somebody who has measles or these particularly weak to respiratory illnesses due to underlying medical circumstances.

Click on right here for extra data and regularly requested questions on measles on the Public Well being – Seattle and King County web site.