Public health officials sent out a disease warning this week after they confirmed that a person traveling through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on January 10 had measles. Measles is highly contagious, especially to those who have not been vaccinated against it. The person was likely exposed while traveling abroad and was infectious when they were at Sea-Tac.
āMeasles is highly contagious, and if you donāt have immunity, you can get it just by being in an area where a person with measles has been,ā said Dr. Eric Chow, Communicable Disease Chief for Public Health ā Seattle & King County. āWeāve seen an increase in measles cases around the world and in the U.S., so itās an important time to check your vaccination status and get vaccinated if you arenāt protected.ā
For those who have received the recommended two doses of measles vaccine, the chances of contracting the disease are low, at 3%. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides 97% protection against infection for life.
Exposure time and location
The measles virus can be transmitted through the air for up to two hours while an infectious person is in an area and for up to two hours after they leave the area. Transmission of measles can occur before the disease’s telltale rash appears.
If you were at the airport on January 10 between 2:30-8 p.m. in any of the following areas, you may have been exposed:
- S Concourse (Gate S8)
- International Arrivals Facility through Customs
- Baggage Claim (Carousel 21)
- D Concourse (Gate D7)
What to do if you were in a location of potential measles exposure
Health officials said that the risk to most residents in our region is low, given that most people in Seattle and King County have received the MMR vaccines.
However, if you are a family member was at the airport and in the areas above during the 5.5-hour exposure window, you should:
- Find out if you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Make sure you are up-to-date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
- Call a healthcare provider promptly if you develop an illness with a fever or with an unexplained rash.
- Do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be checked for measles after an exposure. This will help prevent the spread of the disease.
- Limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.
When would a vulnerable and exposed person get sick?
If you or a loved one were at the locations at the times listed above and are not immune to measles, the most likely time you would become sick is between January 17, 2025, and January 31, 2025.
People who are immunocompromised may take longer to experience symptoms.
About measles
The health department provided the following information about measles:
- Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
- The disease mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.
- Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure.
- People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.
- Measles is contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.
- Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and, rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation).
- On average, infectious people will infect up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people who are near them.
- Infants and children under 5 years, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems from medications or underlying diseases are at the highest risk of serious complications from measles.
If you or someone in your family is in a high-risk group and was exposed to measles at one of the locations listed above, contact your healthcare provider to discuss ways to protect against complications from measles.
For more information about measles and measles vaccination, including where to get measles vaccinations, click here:Ā kingcounty.gov/measles.
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