KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County has confirmed a case of measles in an adult traveler who acquired the disease abroad. Also known as rubeola, measles is a potentially severe disease caused by the measles virus.

The risk to the public from this case is low, as the infected person visited only a small number of public areas in King County while contagious. However, because it is possible that other persons may have been exposed to the disease, people should be aware of potential public exposures, their immunity against the measles and take appropriate steps with health care providers if needed.

“Infectious diseases that originate anywhere in the world are only a plane ride away from Seattle,” said Jeff Duchin MD, Chief of the Communicable Disease Control, Epidemiology and Immunization Section at Public Health - Seattle & King County. “It reminds us we can’t let our guard down when it comes to keeping up-to-date with recommended immunizations. This instance shows why immunizations are critically important in protecting the health of our community.”

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

“If you aren’t immune to the measles and were in a location where the infected person was while contagious, it’s important that you contact your health care provider,” said Duchin.

Potential exposures in King County

The ill traveler flew to Seattle on Alaska Airways flight 399 from San Francisco on December 8th and promptly sought medical attention. Measles was suspected by the health care provider and Public Health – Seattle & King County was notified. Subsequently, the diagnosis was confirmed at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. Public Health is working with the healthcare facility where the ill traveler was seen to contact any persons who might have been exposed.

At this time, additional possible measles exposure sites the public should be aware of include:

Alaska Airlines baggage claim at Sea-Tac Airport from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on December 8th The Warwick Seattle Hotel (lobby area): 12:00pm - 2:00pm and 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm on December 8th only; 401 Lenora Street, Seattle WA

Updated locations and times where persons may have been exposed to measles in King County are also available on Public Health’s website (www.metrokc.gov/health/measles2006.htm) and the Public Health hotline at 206-296-4949.

Travel outside King County

Prior to arriving in King County, the ill traveler had traveled to several locations outside of Washington state. Public Health authorities in those areas have been alerted, as has the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, who assist with tracing of possible exposures during international air travel.

The ill traveler flew on December 2nd from Milan, Italy (Linate Airport) to Amsterdam, Netherlands (Schiphol Airport) on KLM (Volo) flight 3416, then flying from Amsterdam to San Francisco on KLM (Vovo) flight 605. Subsequently, the ill traveler flew from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Nevada on December 3rd on U.S Airways flight 178 and traveled over land to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. The ill traveler then returned to San Francisco on December 6th on U.S. Airways flight 574 and flew to Seattle on December 8th on Alaska Airways flight 399.

What the public needs to do if potentially exposed:

• Find out if you are at risk for measles. Persons who either have had measles or who have been adequately immunized against measles are protected from measles infection. A blood test can show whether you are immune to (protected against) measles. If you are immune to measles, there is nothing else you need to do at this time. You are considered immune to measles if:
  
  
  • You were born before 1957: Most persons born before 1957 had measles as children.
    
    
  • If you were born on or after January 1, 1957 and have documentation of having had at least one dose of measles-containing vaccine received since 1968 and given on or after the first birthday (Measles vaccines used prior to 1968 did not always provide reliable immunity to measles).
    
    
  • A blood test for measles antibody is positive. If you do not have documentation of your measles vaccination history or if you have not had measles, Public Health recommends a blood test to tell you if you are immune or not. Your health care professional can arrange this.
    
    
• For persons exposed to measles at the specific dates and times listed who have not been vaccinated and have not had measles previously OR if your blood test shows that you do not have measles immunity, specific instructions are available on the Public Health website at www.metrokc.gov/health/measles2006.htm.

What Public Health is doing

In response to measles cases, Public Health conducts the following activities:

• Assure that people with measles do not expose other members of the public.
  
  
• Monitor for measles symptoms among close contacts of people with measles.
  
  
• Identifies people exposed to measles, determine if they are immune to measles, and offers vaccination or preventive treatment to susceptible people as appropriate.
  
  
• Assures prompt identification and appropriate testing and treatment of new cases by increasing awareness among the public, health care providers, and laboratories of the presence of measles in our community.
  
  
• Coordinates disease investigation and response activities with Washington State Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is measles?

Measles 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.

Measles symptoms begin eight 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.

Other names for measles include 10-day measles, hard measles and red measles. The term for measles in Spanish is “sarampion.”

For more information, read Public Health’s measles fact sheet: www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/measles.htm

For immunizations, contact your provider or visit a Public Health 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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