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News / Health / Health Wire

Potential exposure to measles reported at Sea-Tac Airport

By Lauren Girgis, The Seattle Times
Published: January 17, 2025, 7:40am

SEATTLE — An adult may have exposed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport travelers to measles last week while they were infectious, according to Public Health — Seattle & King County.

The infected person traveled through Sea-Tac on Friday, Jan. 10. Public Health confirmed the person, who is an Alaska resident, has measles. They were likely exposed while abroad, Public Health said in a news release.

“Measles is highly contagious and if you don’t have immunity, you can get it just by being in an area where a person with measles has been,” said Dr. Eric Chow, communicable disease chief for Public Health — Seattle & King County in the news release.

Those vaccinated against measles are unlikely to get infected. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provides about 97% lifetime protection against infection.

Measles can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infected leaves the area. Anyone at the following airport locations between 2:30 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 10 could have been exposed: S Concourse, including Gate S8; the international arrivals area through customs; baggage claim, including carousel 21; D Concourse, including Gate D7.

Transmission of measles can occur before people become symptomatic. The risk to the general public is low, according to Public Health.

Public Health asks anyone who was in the area at the time to find out if they are up-to-date on vaccinations and call a health care provider immediately if they develop an illness with fever or rash.

To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, do not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them you want to be checked for measles after an exposure, Public Health said in a news release. It is also important to limit contact with others.

Someone at risk from infection because they were in the airport would most likely become sick between Jan. 17 and Jan. 31.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Measles is contagious from about four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.

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