County advisory: Measles case, possible West Seattle exposure

This advisory is just in from King County Public Health – a confirmed case of measles in a child who visited some West Seattle businesses during a time last week when s/he might have been contagious – no reason to panic, the county says, but it needs you to know this just the same – read on:

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON – Local public health officials have learned of a confirmed case of measles in a King County child who was exposed while outside the United States . The child developed a measles rash on Monday, February 15 after arriving in King County on February 12. The child was contagious during travel, and had health care visits and community exposures subsequently. The child was hospitalized during the illness and is recovering.

Because most people in our area are vaccinated against measles, the risk to the general population is low. Persons who are unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants less than six months of age and persons with weakened immune systems are at higher risk if exposed to measles and should contact their health care providers promptly if they develop an illness with fever or an unexplained rash illness.

The period of time when members of the public could have been exposed is February 12 through February 15. If they become ill with measles, they would be expected to develop rash onset between February 19 and March 8.

Public Health notified affected healthcare facilities and locations where community members may have been exposed.

Persons who were at the following King County sites between February 12 through February 14 (times noted) were possibly exposed to measles:

February 12, 2010

SeaTac Airport 11:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Arrival on American Airlines, Concourse A, and baggage claim area

Mercy Vet 2:15 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

2707 76th Avenue SE
Mercer Island , WA 98040

February 13, 2010
Target-Westwood Village 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

2800 SW Barton St
Seattle , WA 98126

QFC-Westwood Village 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

2500 SW Barton
Seattle, WA 98126

February 14, 2010
PCC-West Seattle 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

2749 California Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA 98116

Target-Westwood Village 11:45 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

2800 SW Barton St

Seattle, WA 98126

Mayuri Food and Video 3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

2560 152nd Ave NEunstarred

Redmond, WA 98052

People who may have been exposed are asked to look out for symptoms and contact their health care provider if they become ill.

Background on measles

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly infectious and usually severe illness that 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.

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.

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 call their health care provider before coming in to be seen to avoid exposing other vulnerable patients, and should wear a mask covering the nose and mouth, avoid public places, and minimize contact with others.

For more information about measles, a fact sheet is available in multiple languages at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/diseases/measles.aspx

For measles or other immunizations, contact your health care provider.

For help finding a doctor, please call:

Community Health Access Program (CHAP): 206-284-0331 or 1-800-756-5437 CHAP staff can refer you to a local a Public Health Family Health Clinic and/or a Community Health Clinic. These clinics offer full health services, including immunizations. If you do not have medical coverage, clinic fees are based on your income.

4thGenWestSide February 17, 2010 (7:40 pm)

A perfect example of why we should immunize our children.

roguedelux February 17, 2010 (7:59 pm)

Thanks for posting this WSB! I will pass this along to my friends with babies.

V February 18, 2010 (8:53 am)

4thGen I was thinking the same thing!! What is the deal – immunize please!!

Molly February 18, 2010 (10:35 am)

They don’t begin to immunize for MMR until 12 months old, alas. We have a 7-month-old baby…I may have to ask our doctor if the vaccine can be given early.

Bob February 18, 2010 (6:49 pm)

This one is plain measles (rubeola), not German measles (rubella).
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Looks like I missed this kid at the PCC by hours. But as a small boy I caught measles, mumps, chicken pox, you name it. Parents didn’t care much about any of that since small children were extremely unlikely to die of measles and unlikely to suffer any lasting effects. Parents were most afraid of polio.
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Some even organized “measles parties” where healthy kids were herded together with the sick, so that they’d all get sick. The theory was that it was better to contract these diseases at a younger age, because when older the effects could be much more serious. My many brothers and sisters were always conveniently out catching all kinds of miserable germs, so I didn’t have to go to any “parties.” Mumps especially was no fun.

LG February 18, 2010 (10:18 pm)

4thGen – Immunizations aren’t always the answer. I know a number of individuals who had the measles and were already vaccinated. Don’t believe shots are always the way to go.

k2 February 19, 2010 (2:04 pm)

actually instead of immunizing, it probably makes a better case for why we shouldn’t travel outside the states, lock the borders, drown in our own fear.

Seriously? Immunizations are not the answer.

robwestseattle February 19, 2010 (2:32 pm)

LG: how many individuals would you know with the measles if we weren’t all vaccinating?

Shots ARE the way to go. If you have better science, let’s hear it.

life February 19, 2010 (5:33 pm)

The measles vaccine ‘effectively’ immunizes 95% percent of the people who take the vaccine. There are 5% who STILL get measles even while vaccinated. There is your science.