| Measles cases
in eastern Washington could lead to others
Confirmed related measles cases
as of 1 p.m., May 12:
15 cases
A measles outbreak that started last week in Grant County may
affect more people. Health officials are concerned that the disease
may have been spread further by a girl with measles who traveled
across the state on Tuesday April 29 as part of a school trip.
Persons who were at the following sites on April 29 may have been
exposed to measles:
-
Krispy Kreme restaurant in Issaquah at 6210 E. Lake Sammamish
Pkwy SE, from around 11 am to 1:30 pm.
-
Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum in Seattle (EMP|SFM)
(Seattle Center), 325 5th Avenue North, from around noon to 4:45
pm.
-
McDonald’s restaurant in Issaquah at 1305 N.W. Gilman Blvd,
around 3:45 pm to 6:30 pm.
-
Indian John Hill rest area on eastbound I-90 near Cle Elum
around 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. At the rest area she was in the
women’s restroom and visited the free coffee stand.
Consult a health care provider if you visited one of these
locations on April 29, during the listed times and have measles-like
symptoms — especially if you have not been vaccinated
for measles. It is important to call before going to the clinic or
doctor’s office to be checked for measles so that other people are
not exposed to the disease.
Three
members of the ill family attended the Generation Church Conference
in Kirkland that ran March 25-29. It remains unknown whether others
in attendance were exposed to measles. As a precaution, Public
Health is working with conference organizers to notify attendees
that they may have been exposed to measles.
For further details see our additional resources:
Measles
spreads very easily through sneezing
and coughing. Symptoms of measles may include a high fever,
cold-like symptoms, and a rash. Measles may also cause more serious
problems like pneumonia. A person with measles can spread the
disease from four days before to four days after the day the rash
starts. Read more about measles in our
measles fact sheet.
Measles vaccination
Vaccination provides the best
protection against measles. The MMR vaccine may be able to prevent
measles if the shot is given within three days of exposure to the
disease.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for children one year and older, as
well as teens and adults who are not immune to measles. Children
should get one shot around their first birthday and a booster shot
between 4-6 years. Teens who haven’t received the vaccine need two
doses. People 18 and older may need one or two doses depending on
their age and other factors. Read more about the MMR vaccine on our
Immunization Program Web pages.
External
resources
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