KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Local public health officials have learned that a Grant County young girl who visited King County as part of a school trip on April 29 has tested positive for measles. Measles, also known as rubeola, is a potentially severe disease.

People are immune to measles if they had measles or were properly vaccinated. People who lack immunity can get measles if exposed. Exposed people who are either not immune or unsure of their immunity should contact their health care provider. This is especially important for people at the greatest risk for severe illness: those under one year of age, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Persons who were at the following King County sites on April 29 were possibly exposed to measles:

• 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 6210 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, Issaquah
  
  
• Noon to 4:45 p.m., Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) (Seattle Center), 325 5th Avenue North, Seattle
  
  
• 3:45 to 6:30 p.m., McDonald's Restaurant, 1305 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah

Outside of King County, potential exposure occurred in the Indian John Hill Rest Area on eastbound 1-90 near Cle Elum (women’s restroom and free coffee stand), from around 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Statewide, there are now nine people with measles in recent weeks among Grant County residents. Persons becoming ill with measles as a result of being exposed on April 29 would be expected to develop symptoms between May 5 and May 19.

Measles is a highly infectious and often severe illness spread by coughing and sneezing. It causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. The rash begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Fever (often greater than 101° F), cough and other symptoms begin two to four days before the rash appears.

Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after the exposure to measles occurred. 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.

Measles spreads easily among susceptible persons and can result in serious infections complicated by pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death. Most persons born before 1957 had the disease in childhood, and younger persons are routinely vaccinated against measles, both of which provide protection against the disease.

Persons with possible measles should wear a mask covering the nose and mouth, avoid public places, minimize contact with others, and notify their health care provider in advance to avoid patient waiting rooms.

For more information, a measles fact sheet is available at: www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/measles.htm

For immunizations, contact your provider or visit a Public Health – Seattle & King County immunization clinic: www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/clinics.htm

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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