Health officials warn of measles exposure at Sea-Tac Airport

KING COUNTY -- Public health officials confirmed a new case of measles in an international traveler who was at Sea-Tac International Airport last month.

The unimmunized traveler was likely exposed in his/her home country, according to Public Health Seattle & King County.

Officials said the risk to the general public is low because most people in our area are protected against the measles through vaccination.

This measles case in not linked to the national outbreak linked to a California amusement park, authorities said. It is the fourth measles case of the year in Washington -- including two in King County.

The traveler was at these public locations:

January 25, 2015

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Sheraton Hotel (common areas), 1400 6th Ave, Seattle

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sea-Tac Airport, Main Terminal and Concourse D

If you were at the following locations at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between February 1 and February 15.


Here is more information from Public Health Seattle & King County:

What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure

Most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, so the risk to the general public is low. However, all persons 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 February 1 and February 15. 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.

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 here.