Woman who was at Sea-Tac Airport was infected with measles
Public Health – Seattle & King County confirmed a measles case involving an unvaccinated adult female who visited Sea-Tac Airport and Providence Swedish First Hill while infectious. The infection likely originated outside the U. S. , raising concerns about public exposure. Dr.
Eric Chow, the Communicable Disease Chief, highlighted the high contagiousness of measles and the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, which offers about 97% protection. Officials have listed specific times and locations where potential exposure occurred, advising anyone present to verify their vaccination status. The risk to the general public remains low, but those exhibiting symptoms like fever or rash should contact their healthcare provider before visiting a healthcare facility. Vaccination or medication following exposure can prevent illness, especially for high-risk groups, which include infants and pregnant individuals. Measles symptoms typically develop 7 to 21 days after exposure, emphasizing the importance of monitoring health.
For further information, residents can visit the King County website on measles vaccination.