Public Health – Seattle and King County investigate measles case with potential public exposure – KIRO 7 News Seattle

SEATTLE – Public Health – Seattle and King County are investigating a confirmed case of measles in a child in King County, the agency said on Saturday.

The child was in four different locations in Seattle while infected between May 11 and May 15. The child’s vaccination status and source of infection are both unknown, public health said.

Places and times of potential exposure to measles before a child is diagnosed include:

• Aki Kurose Middle School, 3928 S. Graham Street – 5/11, 12 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and 5/12, 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Pike Place Market, 85 Pike Street – 05/13, 3:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• World Market, 2103 Western Avenue – 05/13, 4:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• HopeCentral Pediatrics & Behavioral Health, 3826 S. Othello St. – 05/15, 2 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Public Health says the risk to the general public is low since most people in our area are immune to measles through vaccination. However, the agency says that anyone who was in the premises at the times indicated should:

• Find out if they have been vaccinated against measles or if they have ever had measles.
• Call a health care provider if you develop an illness or fever with an unexplained rash.

“Measles is highly contagious. If you’re not immune, you can get measles just by being in a room where someone with measles has been,” said Elysia Gonzales, medical epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle and King County. “The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide approximately 97% protection against measles infection and this protection is lifelong.

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