Measles Advisory for Health Care Providers

Posted April 28, 2025. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.

The measles outbreak in the United States surpassed 800 confirmed cases across 24 states, including a fifth case reported this week in Washington state. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is urging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are protected from the disease by getting two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

A confirmed measles has been diagnosed in a King County infant. This case is not connected to any of the previous local measles cases. The infant was likely exposed to measles during recent international travel and had not yet been vaccinated. The individual traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and was in specific locations at Seattle Children’s Hospital while infectious. This is the fifth case of measles in Washington state in 2025, three of which have been infants. Public Health Seattle & King County responded to two other measles cases this year among people who traveled through King County but are not Washington state residents.

Locations of potential exposure to the public (Seattle area)

*Spread of measles can occur before people know they have the disease, before a rash appears.

The infected person was at the following public locations before being diagnosed with measles. Times listed include the estimated period when the individual was at the location and two hours after. Measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone infectious with measles leaves the area. Anyone who was at these locations during the times listed could have been exposed to measles:

• Exposed individuals should find out if they have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. They should ensure they are up to date with the recommended number of measles (MMR) vaccinations.
• Exposed individuals should call a healthcare provider promptly if they develop an illness with fever or with an unexplained rash.
• To avoid possibly spreading measles to others, exposed individuals who are concerned they may be ill should not go to a clinic or hospital without calling first to tell them they want to be checked for measles after an exposure. It is also important to limit contact with others, especially those without known immunity.
  Individuals being screened for measles in a healthcare setting should be masked and isolated (in negative air pressure room when possible), following airborne and standard precautions.

Individuals who may have been exposed at the locations at the times listed above who are not immune to measles would become sick would between April 22, 2025 – May 11, 2025. People who are immuno-compromised may take longer to experience symptoms.

Requested Actions

Please be aware of this case and the measles outbreaks happening within the US and internationally when patients present with symptoms consistent with measles.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Measles Cases and Outbreaks

Use SRHD’s Measles Quick Assessment for Providers form to evaluate symptoms and for guidance on collecting and submitting specimens.

Report suspect measles cases immediately to SRHD Epidemiology:

• Please do not delay reporting suspected measles cases to SRHD while awaiting laboratory confirmation. Control measures are most effective if public health is able to contact those exposed within 72 hours of exposure. If you have any concern about measles in your patient, contact SRHD immediately.
• Communicable Disease Epidemiology: 509.324.1442 (during business hours)
• Urgent and Emergency Needs (24/7 Duty Officer): 509.869.3133
  

We will consult with you regarding testing and specimen collection to determine if they meet criteria for testing at the WA State Public Health Laboratory.

About Measles

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 symptoms begin 7 to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from about 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash.

Some cases of measles have occurred in infants who were too young to receive the MMR vaccine and traveled with their families to countries where there is a higher risk of measles. Parents planning international travel with an infant 6 to 11 months of age should be considered for an early dose of MMR vaccine to aid in preventing measles infection during travel. The dose must be given at least two weeks before departure for the best protection, and the infant will still need to start the regular two dose series between 12 and 15 months of age.

Adults who have received two documented doses of the MMR vaccine do not need to receive additional doses. It is especially important that high-risk adults, such as healthcare professionals, college students, people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, or those preparing for international travel, confirm they’ve previously received two doses to be fully protected.

In 2000, the CDC declared measles eliminated from the United States after high vaccination rates stopped the spread of the disease within the country, and the only cases came from contracting it abroad. However, declining vaccination rates in recent years – especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic – have aided the disease’s recent spread.