The Seattle Quarantine Station learned of a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated passenger who flew from Amsterdam to Seattle on Northwest Airlines Flight 33 and then from Seattle to Portland on Horizon Airlines Flight 2243 on March, 26, 2008. The passenger arrived from Amsterdam around 3:25 pm and departed for Portland at 5 pm. On March 28th the passenger developed a rash, left Portland for Amsterdam on March 29th aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 92, and in the Netherlands had serologic testing that was positive for measles IgM on April 4, 2008.

Consider measles in any patient with prodromal symptoms or rash illness who on March 26th was either aboard Northwest Flight 33 or present in the South Satellite or Alaska and Horizon concourse between 3:25 pm and 7:00 pm.

Measles patients often feel ill enough to seek medical care before the onset of rash. Possibly exposed persons with symptoms compatible with measles should be evaluated immediately. Complications of measles can include otitis media, bronchopneumonia, laryngotracheobronchitis, diarrhea, and encephalitis.

Individuals with measles are typically contagious from 4 days before rash onset through 4 days after rash onset. The incubation period is approximately 10 days (14 days to rash onset; range 7-21 days). Suspected measles cases should be instructed to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth, avoid public places, minimize contact with others, and stay out of patient waiting rooms.

If you suspect measles and/or would like assistance with diagnosis, please contact Public Health immediately by calling (206) 296-4774. We can help facilitate specimen collection and rapid testing at a Public Health laboratory. To avoid delays in diagnosis, report suspected cases immediately; do not send specimens to a commercial lab and do not wait for serologic confirmation.